News Roundup

Unclothed Riders Pedal Through Quarter to Expose Cyclists’ Problems

The Times-Picayune
by Ramon Antonio Vargas
June 12, 2009

A bemused mother pressed her right palm against her young son’s eyes as she watched a pack of cyclists lackadaisically pedal past them on Royal Street just after noon Saturday.

The hand went over the youngster’s eyes because most of the riders, both men and women, were almost entirely naked.

Braving a sweltering sun and temperatures in the 90s, several dozen unclothed New Orleans cycling enthusiasts — bony, well-toned, flabby, hairy — rode through the French Quarter to dramatize what they say is cyclists’ vulnerability to the aggression and inattentiveness of motorists.

The pedalers, many wearing little but a film of glistening sweat, took to the streets as part of the World Naked Bike Ride, an international event that organizers say protests consumerism, dependence on non-renewable gasoline and cyclists’ danger at the hands of uncaring or incompetent motorists.

Seventy cities in 30 countries, mainly in Europe as well as the United States, have held rides in the past year. Saturday was the first in New Orleans.

Darryl Goodwin, who wore only tiny bike shorts and a blue-yellow kite tail draped across his waist, said he was inspired to join the ride after someone in traffic near Poydras Street and St. Charles Avenue flung a car door open just as Goodwin cycled by.

Goodwin, 40, crashed into the door, flew over it and slammed into the pavement. He escaped serious injury only because he was wearing a helmet, he said.

“People should be more aware of bikes in the street,” he said. “Move out of the way — (cyclists) need the right of way.”

Annie Jane Cotten, 26, who wore pasties on her bare breasts and a black sarong rolled up around her waist, said many people have the attitude that roads are made for cars only.

“But there are alternative modes of transportation out there,” she said, “and bikes happen to be one of the best.”

Saturday’s ride started at Washington Square Park at Royal Street and Elysian Fields Avenue. It traveled nine blocks down Royal before the cyclists headed back to the park via Bourbon Street, escorted by New Orleans Police Department vehicles and a car stereo blaring songs including the rock band Blink 182’s “All the Small Things.”

Perhaps because the scene unfolded so close to Bourbon’s strip clubs, many observers quickly overcame their initial shock and shouted, “Whoo!” as the riders passed. Some wolf whistled. Others flipped on camcorders and digital cameras to capture the scene.

Few of the riders had signs communicating the ride’s aim or message, Goodwin said as he sipped a Tropical Isle “hand grenade” he bought on the way. “It was a start, and we got a lot of attention,” he said. “But next time, we need signs.”

Most observers apparently missed the point of the ride but found humor in it.

One man shouted at Victoria Le, a Tulane University student, that she was “wearing too much clothes! Take more off!” Le, 20, wore only hot pink handprints on her breasts, tennis shoes and a hot pink thong.

An older man was decked out in a police-style hat and strips of strategically placed yellow “Caution!” tape.

Carlos Velazquez, a thin, pale University of New Orleans student, showed up in nothing but black tennis shoes and a hair tie for his ponytail. An 8th District police officer warned he would be jailed if he didn’t do a better job of covering up.

Velazquez took off a shoe, yanked off his white crew sock and slipped it over part of his genitals. Satisfied, the officer left him alone.

People can be arrested for lewd conduct only if they expose their genitals, have sex, masturbate, urinate or defecate in public, according to city ordinance.

All of Saturday’s riders avoided arrest.

Maj. Edwin Hosli, who commands the 8th District, said, “As long as they covered their genitals and the women wore pasties, they weren’t breaking the law.”

Though lawful, the bicyclists were offensive to some observers. Out for a stroll on Frenchmen Street, Jason Price, 40, grew enraged as the riders passed him.

“All I saw was a bunch of indecent people and perverts,” he said. “It’s ridiculous, especially because there were children around. You keep that stuff to yourself, man.”

At the end of the organized ride, many of the participants rode off without putting on any additional clothes.

Others sat on the park grass and complained about chafing.

Ramon Antonio Vargas can be reached at rvargas@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3371.