The annual protest ride returns to Sunset Beach with body painting, a downtown cycle and a post-event community picnic.
Don’t worry if you see hundreds of cyclists wearing nothing more than sunscreen and helmets this weekend, it’s part of one of Vancouver’s most familiar annual traditions.
The World Naked Bike Ride is back in Vancouver on Saturday, July 4, when people are encouraged to ride through the city in their birthday suits to raise awareness about body positivity, the environment and cyclist safety.
The event is meant to be a peaceful protest against car culture and fossil fuel dependence, as well as a celebration of human-powered transport, organizers say.
Riders will meet at Sunset Beach (Beach Avenue and Bute Street) at 12 p.m. for body painting before the ride starts at 2 p.m., which has an unofficial dress code: “bare as you dare.”
After the ride, clothing-optional rights group Naked Iconoclasts Fighting The Yoke (NIFTY) will host a celebratory picnic which is open to all.
The free-spirited event started in Vancouver in 2002 and has spread to cities worldwide. Since then, the World Naked Bike Ride has expanded to cities around the world, and continues to promote safer cycling and less reliance on oil. The annual ride gives bold cyclists an opportunity to shed their clothing with like-minded folks on a relaxing ride through the city.
While they might not have any other clothing on, cyclists are encouraged to wear shoes, and helmets are mandatory. They should also keep clothing with them because they will need it after the ride.
So whether you’re joining the ride or simply cheering from the sidelines, this event shows that Vancouver never backs down from making a statement — even when it’s skin deep.
World Naked Bike Ride 2026
When: Saturday, July 4 at 2 p.m.
Where: Sunset Beach (Beach Avenue and Bute Street) at noon