Naked bike ride highlights importance of 'being noticed'

Organiser Ole Rudd said the event was not about causing "shock or outrage"

Organisers of this year's naked bike ride through Bristol have used the event to highlight the importance of cyclists being noticed on the roads.

It is the sixth consecutive year the city has hosted a World Naked Bike Ride, an annual celebration of "bikes, body power and low-carbon living".

Some 200 people took part in the flat, 4-mile (6 km) "family-friendly ride".

Organiser Ole Rudd said the event was "not to cause shock or outrage" and riders could be "as bare as you dare".

Organisers said more than 200 people took part in the naked bike ride through Bristol

"If you notice us when we've got our clothes off, then please just bear in mind to look out for cyclists when we've got our clothes on," Mr Rudd added.

"The message we try and promote is responsibility from all road users. [It's] not just motorists paying attention to cyclists. Cyclists have to be responsible as well.

"They have to be aware of the traffic around them. Try not to ruffle any feathers by jumping any red lights, or endangering pedestrians."

The "clothing-optional" protest aimed to highlight the vulnerability of cyclists and the effect of car pollution.

Aptly-named pub, The Full Moon in Stokes Croft, was the starting point of the route.

Cyclists were told that the dress code was "as bare as you dare"

Bristol became England's first cycling city in 2008 and was awarded £22m in 2008 to encourage residents to ride bicycles.

In 2011 it was announced the project, which aimed at doubling the number of regular cyclists in the city, had failed to meet its target.