Portland, Oregon, known for its vibrant cycling culture and free spirit, will experience a notable absence this year. The World Naked Bike Ride (WNBR), a beloved and internationally recognized event, will not take place in Portland in 2024. Organizers have announced a one-year hiatus for the event, citing the need to strengthen the ride’s organizational foundation and ensure its continued success in the future.
This break marks a significant moment for an event that has become synonymous with Portland’s unique character. Since its inception in 2004, the Portland Naked Bike Ride has grown from a local protest against oil dependency into a global phenomenon, attracting thousands of participants and drawing international attention to the city. Portland quickly became recognized as a naked cycling epicenter, with the ride reaching peak participation of approximately 10,000 riders in 2014. The sheer scale of the event even led organizers in 2022 to express hopes for a smaller crowd, highlighting the logistical challenges of managing such a large-scale, volunteer-run protest.
The Portland World Naked Bike Ride, operating as a non-profit organization (PDXWNBR), relies entirely on a dedicated team of volunteers. Organizing an event of this magnitude – involving thousands of naked cyclists, many of whom are infrequent riders, navigating city streets – is a massive undertaking. It requires meticulous planning for safety, volunteer coordination, and community outreach, all managed by a grassroots organization without paid staff and with rotating leadership each year.
In a public statement, the organizers explained that the decision to take a year off was driven by a shortfall in leadership and volunteer recruitment for the 2024 event. “The planning for 2024 didn’t start in September as expected, and by springtime we realized we were behind on our leadership recruiting goals,” the statement clarified. The organizers emphasized their commitment to maintaining a high standard for the Portland Naked Bike Ride, ensuring it remains safe, accessible, and welcoming to all participants. This includes comprehensive volunteer organization, neighborhood communication, and collaboration with city agencies like TriMet and Portland Parks & Recreation. They aim to use this year to “retrench” and focus on expanding their diverse, all-volunteer team, believing that “Portland deserves the World Naked Bike Ride to be done right.”
Meghan Sinnott, a long-time volunteer and former lead organizer, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the deep significance of the event to the community. She conveyed that while the cancellation is disappointing, proceeding without adequate preparation would be a disservice to the event’s legacy and the countless individuals it impacts. “There’s such a deep, deep reverence and love and joy around this event,” Sinnott shared, underscoring its iconic status beyond just a bike ride or a Portland bike culture event.
The focus now shifts to recruiting new volunteers and cultivating strong leadership for the ride’s anticipated return in the following year. Individuals interested in joining the Leadership Committee for the next Portland Naked Bike Ride are encouraged to apply via an online form, with a deadline of September 6th. The organizers are particularly seeking diverse perspectives from individuals both within and outside the cycling community.
For those who embrace nude cycling and are disappointed by the WNBR hiatus, Portland’s Bike Summer Pedalpalooza calendar, available on the Shift website, offers alternative opportunities for naked rides and other cycling events throughout the summer.
In conclusion, while the absence of the Portland Naked Bike Ride in 2024 will be felt by many, this year off is intended as a strategic pause to ensure the event’s long-term health and vibrancy. Organizers are dedicated to rebuilding their volunteer base and leadership team to bring back an even stronger and more impactful Naked Bike Ride to Portland in the future.
