Ah, April 20. A hallowed day on the Bay Area calendar that has long been used to celebrate marijuana in all its forms and glory. Well, this year, the very stoned humans of San Francisco can celebrate the day by bearing witness to scores of cyclists who’ll be baring it all on bicycles. That’s right! This year’s World Naked Bike Ride falls on 4/20. Which almost — almost! — makes up for the cancellation of Golden Gate Park’s annual Hippie Hill event.
The World Naked Bike Ride Is Happening on 4/20 in San Francisco
2024’s World Naked Bike Ride is happening on April 20. (James D. Morgan/ Getty Images)
As usual, the city’s wheelie nude adventure will start at the giant bow and arrow in Rincon Park — Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen’s Cupid’s Span. It will then sojourn past Chase Center and Oracle Park, head up to North Beach, circle back past City Hall, before heading on over to the Haight and ending in the Castro. All told, the ride lasts 16.5 miles and finishes with a naked party at (of all places) Castro Street’s Gyro Xpress. (Careful where you drop that tzatziki, riders!)
Naked Bike Ride organizers ask that cyclists keep inside the right lane as much as possible, refrain from throwing objects at passing cars, and make sure bicycles are fully tuned before the ride starts.
For those cyclists thinking about participating, but nervous about going full birthday suit, don’t worry. While full nudity is encouraged, an ethos of “as bare as you dare” is embraced as well. Organizers even suggest bringing transparent ponchos or windbreakers in case of rain, which is currently forecast on the day.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the World Naked Bike Ride, which was started by Conrad Schmidt in Vancouver, Canada. Since then, cyclists in 36 countries around the globe have been taking the annual opportunity to protest climate change and highlight the vulnerability of cyclists and pedestrians. The ride also seeks to endorse body positivity, community building and renewable energy.
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The April 20 ride was organized specifically to coincide with Earth Day (April 22). The Northern Hemisphere chapters of World Naked Bike Ride — including San Francisco — will also ride on June 8, 2024. Plenty of time, then, should you need to make an extra cushion for your saddle…
San Francisco’s World Naked Bike Ride leaves Rincon Park (Embarcadero and Folsom) at noon on April 20, 2024. The full route is available online now.
