Nude Cyclists Hit the Streets for World Naked Bike Ride Protest

(June 15) -- Some dream of the Tour de France. For others, it's the "Tour Sans Pants."

Cyclists around the globe jumped out of their trousers and on to their bikes for the World Naked Bike Ride last Saturday, an annual gathering in which bikers celebrate the human body while protesting against cars and oil dependence.

Bike riders disrobed in demonstrations in Mexico City, Montreal, Madrid, Paris and Cape Town, South Africa, among other cities, in eye-catching parades intended to draw attention to cycling rights and environmental plights, like the ongoing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Organizers say biking nude makes cyclists appear more vulnerable -- illustrating the dangers that ordinary bike riders face daily.

According to New York City cyclist Joe Sharkey, about 200 bikers -- a third of them fully nude -- took part in the Big Apple ride, which started in Brooklyn and crossed into Manhattan, where nude cyclists rallied in front of the United Nations and a BP gas station.

"We're here to defend our bodies against dangers and toxins and destruction," said Sharkey, who noted that the event brought together a diverse array of cyclists, artists and nudists.

Meanwhile, more than 1,100 cyclists stripped down and rode through the streets of London, according to the Guardian.

Though biking naked might sound uncomfortable, Sharkey says he never worries about soreness from the bike saddle.

"When you put yourself out there and experience this, there's so much adrenaline and excitement and anxiety that those sorts of normal body-sensation issues don't necessarily come to mind," he told AOL News. "I've never been very uncomfortable on the bike naked."

In fact, comfort is one of the main concerns for organizers, who urge riders to follow an "As Bare as You Dare" policy.

According to the World Naked Bike Ride website, although nudity is illegal in many cities around the world, fines and arrests are rare. In fact, the greatest danger that the nude cyclists face might be the risk of sunburn.

"You can go topless or you can go sleeveless -- it doesn't matter," said Sharkey. "What's important is that you take action."