Cheeky cyclists doff their drawers in protest

The weather was mercifully warm on Saturday, when hundreds of Vancouver cyclists doffed their clothes to protest oil dependency in the international Naked Bike Ride.

Riding eastbound down Robson Street in downtown Vancouver, cyclists waved to cheering spectators - many of whom had no prior knowledge of the event.

For others, like hot dog vendor Omid Modrek, it was just another naked bike protest.

"They do it every year," Modrek said. "But never this much. There was a lot more of them than before."

The international event is intended to celebrate cycling and the human body - held under the tag line 'ending the indecent exposure to cars and pollution' - that have been taking place since 2001 in some 25 countries and 70 cities.

"I think they do it just for fun," Modrek joked.

Getting the message out in Montreal

Montreal organizer Dan Parkinson says nudity is a novel way to call attention to serious issues.

"It's what gets the attention," the lifelong cyclist and environmentalist said.

"This is why it's going to be on the TV tonight, because we're naked."

But he noted that it's not just a fringe event for people with a penchant for slightly saucy rallies, but a worldwide action that draws thousands in some cities.

"This is a global movement because this is a global problem," Parkinson said.

"We're destroying our planet and that's doing a lot more damage than any sort of nudity could do to this city."

Dedicated urban cyclist Thomas Dean Nordlum, painting a large red anti-carbon dioxide sign across Parkinson's chest, says at first glance, he found the idea of a bike ride in the buff "a little off the wall."

"But after I thought about it some more is seemed less scandalous, it becomes less shocking."

He thinks the visual impact of the protest may help underline their message.

"I don't feel safe half the time on the road even though I bike almost everyday," Nordlum said.

"We want to reinforce that we are part of traffic."

Parkinson wants to see more people willing to adjust their lifestyles for the benefit of the environment.

"We need to see people ready to make changes in their life that they weren't ready to do, such as ride a bike," he said.

"Not naked, but doing something they usually wouldn't."

With files from The Canadian Press