NAKED cyclists will pedal through the streets of Essex once again this summer for the World Naked Bike Ride. 

The annual "bare as you dare" event, which sees cyclists strip down to raise awareness of their vulnerability on the roads, is set to return to Chelmsford, Colchester and Clacton in June and July.

Nude cyclists first descended on Chelmsford and Colchester in 2015, and last year the Colchester event was put back an hour to avoid clashing with the carnival.

Clacton's former MP, Douglas Carswell, slammed the ride as “offensive exhibitionism” when it passed through the town in 2014. 

But according to reports by road.cc organisers stress that “contrary to popular belief, since the Sexual Offences Act 2003, in England nakedness is not illegal unless you are doing it intending to alarm or distress someone – which clearly is not the intention of WNBR.”

The naked rides will arrive in Essex on the following dates:

Chelmsford Saturday, June 24

Colchester Saturday, July 8

Clacton Saturday, July 15

  • What do you think of the naked bike ride? Let us know in the comments below.