READERS may be aware that every year during June, cities across the world have a cycle protest called the World Naked Bike Ride, and on Saturday, York has its sixth such event, starting at Millennium Bridge at 5pm.

The aim of this demonstration is to highlight the vulnerability of cyclists on car-dominated roads; to celebrate human-powered vehicles and the varied bodies which power them; and to protest at the unsustainable oil-soaked society in which we live, and showing there is another way.

A few commentators always suggest that public nudity is illegal; well, in England it isn’t, and the York ride is organised with the knowledge of the police and council. Some participants ride naked as this attracts the media and gets the message across about these important issues. Others wear bikinis or colourful costume, body paint or decorate their bikes. This event always seems like a carnival, with onlookers cheering and clapping. Anybody offended by bikes or bodies should simply look away.

All cyclists are welcome. Bike hire is available from Get Cycling a Dr Bike will be at Millennium Bridge to check bicycle roadworthiness from 4pm.

John Cossham, Garden House, Hull Road, York.