Edinburgh naked bike ride returns as locals urged to go 'as bare as they dare'

A naked bike ride is set to make its way through Edinburgh, joining events around the world.

With the key rule being "as bare as you dare", participants will start in the Meadows at 2pm on July 6. They'll take in the Scottish Parliament, the Royal Mile, George Street and the bridges.

The events protest against how vulnerable cyclists are to cars, and hope to "get people's attention" without anti-social behaviour, chanting or marching.

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A poster for the event reads: "World Naked Bike Ride Edinburgh.

"Middle Meadow Walk, Saturday July 6. Meet at 1pm, ride at 2pm as bare as you dare!

"Protest against oil dependency and climate change, and protest for body freedom and bikes."

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On their social media pages, organisers say: "Every year, 70 cities in 20 countries partake in the World Naked Bike Ride as a fun and peaceful protest against car culture.... But why naked, you ask?

"We face automobile traffic with our naked bodies as the best way of defending our dignity and exposing the unique dangers faced by cyclists and pedestrians as well as the negative consequences we all face due to dependence on oil, and other forms of non-renewable energy.

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"In other words, mounting our bicycles naked to protest is our way of highlighting how vulnerable we are to car fumes and on the roads in general, as well as promoting the idea of 'unlimited free transport' (on two wheels!). It's also a good way to get people's attention without recourse to anti-social behaviour, chanting, or marching.

"More importantly, it's fun!"

You can find out more about the event here.