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Police Put Stop to Newcastle Ride

Here is an account written by our photographer at the scene - March 9, 2008.

As the cyclist's from the World Naked Bike Ride travelled along a suburban cycleway this afternoon they were confronted by two police vehicles. One rider was ordered to stop and come over to the police. It was alleged by several riders the police officer actually said "come over here now ya' sicko".

The rider complied and was questioned at length before being issued with an on the spot fine for $400.00. At the moment it appears the rider was charged with Offensive Behaviour.

In the meantime the other riders were addressed rather aggressively by the remaining police. Something off an arguement began with one particular rider making his point strongly to them, that he was not offended by the first riders behaviour and so why was that man under arrest. At the threat of a further arrest he decided it was best to remain silent. The aggressive police presence frigthened at little girl at one point and her Dad had to take away to calm her down.

The rest of the ride went ahead without incident and indeed several riders stripped off again to ride the final part through the city streets.

I counted around 25 participants this year at a very varied age range. Two families rode including the kids (dressed). One older rider told me he was participating for the second year in a row. Yet another told me he was a Beef Cattle farmer and a female rider said she had heard of the ride while attending a nudist beach.

The ride culminated in Newcastle with a lot of very happy faces and a swim in the ocean before the after ride party this evening.

The really cool part of our story is that the other photographers were no where to be seen so Naked Australians is in posession of the only images of the first arrest from a World Naked Bike Ride anywhere in Australia in the four years the ride has been held. (Insert the smug smile here)

Read about the Brisbane World Naked Bike Ride 2008 here.

Read about the 2007 Newcastle World Naked Bike Ride here.

Read about the 2008 Sydney World Naked Bike Ride here.

What the hell?  i wonder why they would stop it?  I can't remember if last year they ran in Newcastle, but if they did, i am wondering why it was okay then and not now?  Just another example of  some people who are offended by nudity, regardless of who they are. Do they not know it is an annual event?  Did they try arresting anyone?  If it happens in Newcastle, i wonder if it will happen in the other cities in Australia.

Hey Naked Admin and photographers,

That did seem somewhat odd for the policeman to act the way he did. I wonder, was it to throw around his power?  I mean what was he thinking he could do, arrest the whole naked bike ride competitors? 

TO ALL THE MODELS.. did any of you partake in the festivities?  It would be great to get some pics of you in the event.

cheers from cold, snowy United States...

I noticed Gmans and the admins posts gone?  Was there something wrong about the posting?

Yes I was in the newy nude bike ride and my daughter had to be told she was not in any trouble for riding in the group.And we all thought that the man who got the fine didnt deserve it.THE POLICE OFFICER called him a sicko cause he had no body paint on like the rest of us.IHe police officer aked me to put my bra back on or id end up at the police station being fined ,I put my bra on .I thought the police should be looking into real crimes.NUDITY IS NOT A CRIME IT IS NATURAL.Our family goes to the nudist beach all the time.And I walk arround our house most the time naked.My husband was brought up going to nudists resorts and beaches all the time. The way I look at it we all born with out clothes.I someone doesnt like nudity dont look.I had a accident on the corner of Boaumont st at the light ( I fell off my bike) and onlookers thought it was funny.but over all the day went of really well and we will be in it next year,hopfully with more participants and family.

Rosemary - how good of you to add a reply here. It is greatly appreciated. We were equally as surprised that the police intervened. Were they acting on complaints?

Well if there were complaints, the situation could have been handled a lot more professional, but i think the police official has a problem with nudists to begin with.

I like nude things but really what do you expect the police to do? You were all breaking the law and now you're all outraged. Rosemary being a nudist is good for you but why force othersd to look at your wobbly bits. do it at home or at a nudist place. admin you cant really support this stuff? i live near newcastle and i like nakednes. but i would hate to suddenly see some naked thing fall off her bike at my feet.

Hello Concerned,

First of all you like nakedness?  Well to me it doesn't show here if you are going to support what the police are doing. You did mention that nudity should stay at home???? Why?  If that is fine for you, then i would accept that, but a person can't put nudism down if others feel free about living in the nude and that means in public.  Of course thee will always be someone who doesn't like it. Everyday life is filled with things some people don't like, and others do.  Granted, there are things much more acceptable than others, but the Naked Bike Ride has been going on for some years now.  I too would hate to see someone fall of their bike, regardless if they are nude, at least show a little compassion as i am sure you would expect as well.

Naked Administration support this????????????????????????????????

Excuse me, but did you miss the part where this is Naked Australians and they do support the nude lifestyle??? They did the shoot last year as well.  They may not absolutely agree with everything about being nude, but they do respect those who wish to live it, as well  as being successful in helping those who live the nudist lifestyle to have places to go. Without this site, some wonderful people who like being nude, wouldn't be aware of beaches near them... or groups to join.

Upset, hell yeah some of us would be upset... it is a persons right to be free, to live how they wish, and i am sure going public in the nude isn't what some have in mind. However, i think that the police officials would have more important things to attend to, like murder, missing children,  something really to worry about. How is a group of naked riders hurting anyone? 

Were there any signs posted about the bikeride in public? Anything in the newspapers, or on the news?  if so, if anyone is offended by nudity then they should have stayed away.

cheers to you

when will the photographs be on your web site

Yours truly naked in two wheeled protest,

Marte Kinder.

Pics now added.

It looks like  a success even with the police involvement.  High fives for the naked bike ride.

Ron, I wasn't offended.

Lol.

Just had to clear that up after reading your post "see another one of the public whom is offended"

Ta