Seattle Press on Line - Nude Bikers Pedal in Solstice Spotlight

Nude Bikers Pedal in Solstice Spotlight

By Carol Marsh

Jul 01, 1998 -- "Next year we'd like to see the nude bikers on tricycles," suggested Brad Erlich of the Fremont Arts Council, sponsor of the town's famously offbeat Solstice Parade.

"We appreciate the freedom of expression," he said. "They're not acting in a lewd way. The issue is speed, danger, not nudity."

To loud boos from parade watchers, two nude men were taken into custody, investigated and released during the parade on June 20.

The Seattle City Attorney's Office has not decided whether to file charges. Assistant City Attorney Supervisor Mike Finkle said that if the men are charged, the charge would probably be indecent exposure, a misdemeanor. A second offense could, under some circumstances, result in felony charges which would require sex offender registration on conviction.

Erlich said nude bikers have been part of the parade for five or six years. Two years ago, a child was hit (but not injured) by a speeding biker.

Money is another issue.

"We could lose our parade permit," explained Maque Davis of the Arts Council. City officials who issue the parade permit want parade organizers to find a way to keep the bikers out. Permit officials told parade organizers that if this year's parade had nude bikers, the parade sponsors will be obligated to hire off-duty policemen next year.

"That will break our budget," Davis said.

"I think a naked man on a bike is a hoot," he said. "To me it's a political and social satire that I appreciate. One of our crew overheard a woman telling her son, 'Yes, all boys have penises.' This is good! But I'm the one who goes to get our permit, and the city is concerned that they're naked."

"We've put out calls for the naked bikers to come in and talk to us," Davis said. "We want to tell them what our concerns are."

"I was outraged," said parade-goer Jim Starrs who witnessed the arrests. "Nude bikers have become part of the parade. The whole crowd broke into boos ? it was so against the grain. It was a shocker."

Alternative radio KNDD, "The End," held an almost-nude bike race on June 26 in solidarity with the Solstice bikers. About 15 bicyclists wearing only strategically-placed "The End" stickers raced up Denny Hill from the Seattle Center to the radio station.

Reader Comments

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sunu	Dec 22, 2003	dhaka	self
i love nature. so nude byckle is very injoyble if i get.


bob	Aug 20, 2004
i love to be naked so more power to them