Nudism Is Freedom : Certified by msmSnews

I guess its Official ( if *it is written* in msmSnews / @SFChronicle, it must be Gospel Truth, Right ? ) : BAY AREA // SAN FRANCISCO Nudism is freedom: Naked cyclists take to San Franciscos streets ByDanielle Echeverria Feb 10, 2024 [ photo caption ] Martin Moulton, who has participated in nude bicycle events since 2000, holds a sign during the World Naked Bike Ride in San Francisco on Saturday. We want to make roads safer for everyone, he said. When roads are safer for bicyclists and pedestrians, theyre safer for everyone, including cars. Danielle Echeverria/The Chronicle People strolling along San FranciscosEmbarcadero on Saturday ran into a surprising sight: about a dozen naked people snapping photos with bikes and signs, the Bay Bridge as their backdrop. The nudists were gathered at Rincon Park for one of fiveplanned naked bike ridesin San Francisco this year, a tradition in the city since 2004. The bike rides happen each season, plus a bonus ride this year the weekend of Bay to Breakers. People walking or running by looked on in amusement and snapped photos, as the bikers, some wearing just an open button-down shirt, some covered in body paint and some completely nude, prepared for their trek toward the Castro, enjoying the sun and mild weather. Flyers handed out at the event encouraged people to embrace being nude and join the fun. Nudism is freedom, a banner held by participants read. Life is too short to do otherwise. Nudity isnothing new in San Francisco. While being naked on any city sidewalks, plazas, parklets, streets and public transithas been banned in the citysince 2012, social nudityis allowedat parades, festivals and events such as the World Naked Bike Ride,Bay to Breakersandthe Folsom Street Fair. In addition to nude activism, the ride seeks to call attention to road safety. San Francisco has continued to grapple with traffic deaths, even after pledging toeliminate traffic fatalitiesby this year a decade ago with its Vision Zero program. Traffic fatalities have usually fluctuated from 20 to the low 30s each year since 2014, but hit a near record 39 in 2022. We want to make roads safer for everyone, said Martin Moulton, who has participated in naked bike rides across the country since 2000. When roads are safer for bicyclists and pedestrians, theyre safer for everyone, including cars. [ photo caption ] The World Naked Bike Ride in San Francisco begins its trek along the Embarcadero on Saturday. Participants said they hope the ride encourages people to take alternative modes of transportation. Danielle Echeverria/The Chronicle Participants also said that they hope the ride encourages people to take alternative, more climate-friendly modes of transportation. Were not against cars. We understand a lot of people have to use cars, Moulton said. But he hopes more people will turn to low-cost options such as biking and walking if they are able to. After cycling along the Embarcadero, the riders swept down to City Hall, through the Panhandle and part of Golden Gate Park before heading through the Haight toward the Castro, where several businesses were open for after-parties. Moulton added that hes never heard a complaint about the nude treks across the city only that participants who hesitated to bare it all at the start wish they had at the rides end. By the end, they say, I wish I had just taken those shorts off, he said. Feb 10, 2024 ByDanielle Echeverria Danielle Echeverria is a reporter for The Chronicles Engagement and Breaking News team. She recently completed her Master's degree in journalism at Stanford University, where she won the Nicholas Roosevelt Environmental Journalism Award for her reporting and covered agriculture, climate change and worker safety. She previously interned The Chronicle on the Business desk, as well as at Big Local News, focusing on data journalism. She is originally from Bakersfield, California.