BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4) ― Boulder's version of the World Naked Bike Ride was a little less revealing this year. That's because police decided for the first time to ride a little rougher on the cheeky bikers.
For five years Boulder residents had to "bare" witness to the annual naked bike ride through town.
"You can't really let it get to you. It's part of what makes Boulder weird and fun," said Kim Katz, who happened to be on the Pearl Street Mall with her family when the ride came through.
This year cyclists were a bit more restricted.
"It's the World Naked Bike Ride everywhere else in the world except for Boulder," said protestor Scot Colburn. "Enlightenment only goes so far I guess."
Bare chests on men and women are not against the law, but exposed genitals are. Boulder police decided it was time to start enforcing the law after the naked pumpkin run last Halloween. It's a law that if broken could land the protestors on the sex offender registry.
"I believe we need to be consistent if we're going to enforce nudity at the Naked Pumpkin Run, then we also need to address the same issue with this ride," said Curt Johnson of the Boulder Police Department.
"The irony here is that we've gotten more publicity out of the police," Colburn said.
The real reason for the protest was to expose the public to riding more and driving less.
"I'm going to take a stand for the planet in my birthday suit. Don't pollute, birthday suit, " Protestor Stele Ely announced.
Not quite his whole birthday suit, but enough to get some attention. Most observers seemed to be both entertained and relieved by the new rules.
"Well they kept themselves relatively decent as far as the law is concerned," said observer Ted Kibler.
Jalene Lindhorst happened to catch part of the ride with her young daughter.
"It's a little weird but you know, they weren't like totally naked, so I wasn't too worried," said Lindhorst.
Everyone followed the rules and no tickets were issued.
About 35 cyclists participated in this year's event. Organizers say that's down from last year, mostly because of the enforcement restrictions. ..Source.. by Karlyn Tilley
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