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Naked cyclist campaigners have hired security as the public rebel against the sight of grown adults pedalling through UK cities without clothes.
The protest group, which states they are against vehicle use and promote body positivity, say they fear the future of the event in Britain is in jeopardy amid a growing risk of hostility from members of the public who are less tolerant of nudity.
It follows an assault this year on one 59-year-old male naked cyclist in Essex, who was punched off his bike during the annual nude event after being mistaken for a 'pervert'.
To try and combat the rise in attacks, the organisers of the London naked ride have brought in security to help police the events, as well as changing the date to a Sunday - when the capital is quieter.
An event representative told the Times: 'We've found that leading over 1,000 cyclists through central London on a Saturday in June has become increasingly troublesome.'
'We've also been making increasing use of professional security personnel, which has become our largest cost.
'Their role is to improve safety and behaviour, both for our riders and for spectators. They patrol the start, finish and rest points as well as riding along with the participants.'
The event's organisers enforce strict rules for participants, including that riders must remain seated at all times, they must be clothed before and immediately after the ride, and close-up or long-lens photography is banned.
Anyone engaged in sexual behaviour will be asked to leave and anyone renting a bike must use a saddle cover - which are sold by the organisers for £2.
The changes come after Robert Brown, 59, was attacked by a vigilante binman while taking part in the World Naked Bike Ride in Colchester Essex, on August 9 this year.
Motorcyclist Lee Turnage, 46, drove up behind him and sent him crashing to the floor with a single punch.
But unbenknownst to Turnage, the riders were taking part in a World Naked Bike Ride event. His lawyer told Ipswich Crown Court that he 'reacted very badly to what he thought of - to use the vernacular - as perverts cycling naked in what was a residential area'.
Turnage was handed a 14 month sentence, suspended for two years, for assaulting Mr Brown and attacking two police officers who arrived to arrest him at a pub.
The cyclists insisted they take part in the annual ride to protest against car culture, demand safer cycling conditions and highlight environmental concerns such as oil dependence and climate change. They also advocate for a 'more body-positive world.'
Organisers say it does not breach the Sexual Offences Act 2003, which states public nudity is not an offence as long as it is not done with intent to cause alarm, harassment or distress.
But women's safety groups and campaigners for child protection say there are other ways to raise money for charity - and warn the events pose a dangerous threat.
Child abuse campaigner Emma Jane-Taylor said: 'Allowing the naked bike ride simply allows perverts to be seen and normalises an already difficult conversation.'
She has since started a petition calling for the London Naked Bike Ride to be banned, warning: 'For lots of reasons including the grey area of 'exposure' law and child protection in the UK, I believe it should be banned as a public event.
'The Government should be united on this action for the future safeguarding of children.'
She told the Daily Mail: 'My local MP wrote to the city police, Met Police and Sadiq Khan for comment on my behalf about these events.
'No response I received was adequate, nor did it reflect the reality of what these events bring to the dangers of child protection.
'Although participants are often accused of acting illegally, under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, nudity is allowed in England and Wales as long as it is not to 'cause alarm or distress'.
The events have been politicised, with Lee Anderson, a Reform MP, calling participants 'flashers on bikes' and part of a 'freak show'.
Naked cyclist campaigners have hired security as the public rebel against the sight of grown adults pedalling through UK cities without clothes.
The protest group, which states they are against vehicle use and promote body positivity, say they fear the future of the event in Britain is in jeopardy amid a growing risk of hostility from members of the public who are less tolerant of nudity.
It follows an assault this year on one 59-year-old male naked cyclist in Essex, who was punched off his bike during the annual nude event after being mistaken for a 'pervert'.
To try and combat the rise in attacks, the organisers of the London naked ride have brought in security to help police the events, as well as changing the date to a Sunday - when the capital is quieter.
An event representative told the Times: 'We've found that leading over 1,000 cyclists through central London on a Saturday in June has become increasingly troublesome.'
'We've also been making increasing use of professional security personnel, which has become our largest cost.
'Their role is to improve safety and behaviour, both for our riders and for spectators. They patrol the start, finish and rest points as well as riding along with the participants.'
The event's organisers enforce strict rules for participants, including that riders must remain seated at all times, they must be clothed before and immediately after the ride, and close-up or long-lens photography is banned.
Anyone engaged in sexual behaviour will be asked to leave and anyone renting a bike must use a saddle cover - which are sold by the organisers for £2.
The changes come after Robert Brown, 59, was attacked by a vigilante binman while taking part in the World Naked Bike Ride in Colchester Essex, on August 9 this year.
Motorcyclist Lee Turnage, 46, drove up behind him and sent him crashing to the floor with a single punch.
But unbenknownst to Turnage, the riders were taking part in a World Naked Bike Ride event. His lawyer told Ipswich Crown Court that he 'reacted very badly to what he thought of - to use the vernacular - as perverts cycling naked in what was a residential area'.
Turnage was handed a 14 month sentence, suspended for two years, for assaulting Mr Brown and attacking two police officers who arrived to arrest him at a pub.
The cyclists insisted they take part in the annual ride to protest against car culture, demand safer cycling conditions and highlight environmental concerns such as oil dependence and climate change. They also advocate for a 'more body-positive world.'
Organisers say it does not breach the Sexual Offences Act 2003, which states public nudity is not an offence as long as it is not done with intent to cause alarm, harassment or distress.
But women's safety groups and campaigners for child protection say there are other ways to raise money for charity - and warn the events pose a dangerous threat.
Child abuse campaigner Emma Jane-Taylor said: 'Allowing the naked bike ride simply allows perverts to be seen and normalises an already difficult conversation.'
She has since started a petition calling for the London Naked Bike Ride to be banned, warning: 'For lots of reasons including the grey area of 'exposure' law and child protection in the UK, I believe it should be banned as a public event.
'The Government should be united on this action for the future safeguarding of children.'
She told the Daily Mail: 'My local MP wrote to the city police, Met Police and Sadiq Khan for comment on my behalf about these events.
'No response I received was adequate, nor did it reflect the reality of what these events bring to the dangers of child protection.
'Although participants are often accused of acting illegally, under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, nudity is allowed in England and Wales as long as it is not to 'cause alarm or distress'.
The events have been politicised, with Lee Anderson, a Reform MP, calling participants 'flashers on bikes' and part of a 'freak show'.
