The World Naked Bike Ride 2024 is coming to Cardiff this summer

Put on your birthday suits, because the World Naked Bike Ride is set to return to Cardiff this summer. Dozens of nude bikers will saddle up for good causes on July 14, with thousands of spectators expected to cheer them on.

It's an annual event that happens in every major city around the world, said Dee Jenkins, one of the organisers of the Cardiff ride. Participants do not have to be completely naked, but are encouraged to be "as bare as you dare", with some in previous years wearing swimsuits or fancy dress.

"This is the 20th year of the World Naked Bike Ride," said Dee. "Our main aims are to protest against the over use of fossil fuels, to campaign for better cycle routes - one of our slogans is: 'If you can see us naked, why can't you see us when we are clothed?' - and to help promote body positivity." Get the best user experience with WalesOnline’s Premium app on Apple or Android

READ MORE: Cardiff Food and Drink Festival 2024: The full list of everything you can eat and buy

READ MORE: Taxi drivers protest against big change in Cardiff city centre

This year's ride will begin at the Cardiff University car park at Column Drive, where bikers - between 120 to 150 are expected this year - will prepare for the ride, with some opting for body paint and accessories. The route normally starts on the university's campus off Museum Avenue, but there is currently a pro-Palestine encampment there, so the location has been changed, Dee said.

At 2pm the riders will set off from the car park, meandering through the city centre and Cardiff Bay, whizzing past famous landmarks such as the Senedd and Cardiff Castle and passing through busy streets including St Mary Street and Duke Street, before returning back to the car park on Column Drive.

The route is around 12km and the journey is expected to last around two and a half hours, Dee added. The smooth-running of the ride and the safety of riders will be maintained by volunteer marshals. For the latest Cardiff news, sign up to our newsletter here

The first World Naked Bike Ride took place in 2004 in 28 cities in ten countries, across four continents. It was founded by Canadian social activist Conrad Schmidt.

The Cardiff ride has been going since 2008, with around 40 people taking part in the inaugural event. Since then, participation has "grown steadily", Dee said, as well as the diversity of riders, with LGBTQI+ people and members of the Muslim community among those who take part today. "We are all on one level...there are no egos."

Dee herself first joined the movement in 2013 and now leads both Cardiff and Bristol's rides. She said the movement has had a tangible impact on its aims, such as the increase in the number of cycle routes in Cardiff.

Contrary to popular belief, it is not illegal to be naked in a public place in the UK. However, it is an offence if you strip off with the intention to cause harassment, alarm or distress to another person.