Cyclists participate in the Annual Naked Bike Ride Kelowna in 2014.
(DEON NEL / iNFOnews.ca)
June 12, 2015 - 9:34 AM
KELOWNA - Responding to rumours of possible interference in their event, and concerns about conflict with the Fat Cat Children’s Festival, organizers of Nake Bike Ride Kelowna say they will respond with civil obedience.
“If police or bylaw were to show up, if they demand we cover up, we will comply. We’re not there to argue or fight with the cops, we want to be respectful and respected,” Madison Keller says.
Her co-organizer Liam Parks says there’s not much fear of someone showing up at the park entirely nude anyway.
“It’s hard to imagine people making their entire way here solo to the beach completely naked,” he says.
“It’s legal for everyone to go topless so that’s not an issue. They mostly show up with some gear on at the very least. If someone does show up with no backup shorts, we’ll find them something and keep riding. No one gets left behind.”
Parks says he rode in the first Naked Bike Ride in Kelowna last June with 30 other riders and there was no official interference with the event.
“Last year we rode for three hours and had no trouble with the cops or bylaw. It was great.”
He’s hoping for much bigger numbers this year, but says regardless of how many riders they get, will be avoiding the children’s festival.
“If it was on the same weekend last year, then I never saw it. It won’t be an issue this year either. We’re already stirring the pot good, there is no need to do it at the Fat Cat festival,” Parks says.
The Annual Naked Bike Ride is held each June in cities around the world, including a large ride in Vancouver. Park says the Vancouver police escort the ride and make sure there's no trouble.
Kelowna bylaw manager Greg Wise did not immediately respond to a request for an interview.
For his part, Parks is planning to put on a pair of his girlfriend’s underwear if asked to cover up.
“I’ll put on a skimpy pair of panties, like a speedo,” he laughs. "There’s no law against that.”
The Annual Naked Bike Ride Kelowna is scheduled for 2 p.m., Saturday, June 13 at Mushroom Beach in Kelowna.
To contact the reporter for this story, email John McDonald at jmcdonald@infonews.ca or call 250-808-0143. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2015