By Rachel Fergusson
Dozens of naked cyclists will take to the streets as part of a protest in Edinburgh鈥檚 city centre on Saturday. The riders are stripping off for the Edinburgh leg of the World Naked Bike Ride, an international event organised in protest against 鈥渃ar culture鈥. Organisers are urging participants to be 鈥渁s bare as you dare鈥 – with shoes being the only compulsory item of clothing. The annual event, which has been running since 2008, is a statement to demand safer roads for cyclists and more focus from decision-makers on environmental issues. Participants will shed their clothes for a 1pm kick off before peddling through Edinburgh鈥檚 Old Town and passing the Scottish Parliament. The cycle is returning for its 17th year despite facing some backlash online following last year鈥檚 event. Paul Cree, who has been involved in the event for the last two years, said: 鈥淭he response from the public is always overwhelmingly positive. There are hundreds of people cheering and clapping and the tourists on the open bus tours absolutely love it.鈥 In response to accusations of exhibitionism, he said that is 鈥渘ot the nature of the event,鈥. 鈥淚f anyone has an issue with a human body that鈥檚 protesting for the safety of the environment, then that鈥檚 their own issue. 鈥淎s cyclists we seem to be more noticeable wearing nothing than we do when we鈥檙e wearing high visibility.鈥 As part of the event, Mr Cree is raising money for the British Heart Foundation in memory of his aunt who died of a heart attack. Similar bike rides are happening in cities across the UK, including Brighton, Bristol, and London. The London leg attracts thousands of cyclists each year. Edinburgh City Council Licensing Sub-Committee Convener, Councillor Joanna Mowat, said: 鈥淧arades or processions do not require permission from the Council, if there is a specific concern the Council in limited circumstances can attach conditions to address the concerns.鈥 The council added that any issues of public indecency would be dealt with by Police Scotland where appropriate.