AN activist has said “we all have the same bits, just different plumbing”, after helping organise the first naked bike ride since the coronavirus pandemic.

Cyclists in the nude pedalled throughout Colchester on Saturday afternoon, setting off at the Jumbo water tower before heading through the city centre and beyond.

The annual environmental stunt, held in protest of car culture, was last staged in the area in 2019 before the Covid-19 crisis took hold.

Although only about 20 people took part in this year’s eyebrow-raising event, organiser Robert Brown was pleased with the success of the ride.

Gazette:

He said: “It went well but we were down on the numbers we normally get because the Colchester ride has not been out for two years – it was like starting again.

“There are a lot of people as well who are still taking precautions against catching coronavirus so they did not take part this year.

“We had a few negative comments but the number of positives far outweighed the negatives – people say it is illegal, but it is not, and we are not breaking the law.

“We have been called perverts before but we just do not take any notice of it – the more we do this the more people will come to accept it.”

Although he admits some areas of the country are still reluctant to embrace the naked cyclists, Mr Brown believes every year their presence is slightly more welcomed.

“We are totally transparent with the public and people are starting to understand why we do it a lot more now,” added Mr Brown.

“Most of the time I do not wear clothes and my birthday suit is the only suit that actually always fits me – there is nothing wrong, immoral or illegal about it.

“When people have a problem with body image and how they look I blame the fashion industry - but why are people offended by something that is purely innocent?

“We all have the same bits, it is just the plumbing is different, so what is the problem?”