PROTESTORS stripped off and pedalled through Clacton in the buff to prove how vulnerable cyclists can be amongst traffic.

Around 25 cyclists assembled at the Toby Carvery, in Marine Parade East, on Saturday, before pedalling along the seafront naked.

Robert Brown, from Clacton, said public reaction to the protest was largely positive.

“Drivers often do not see us when we’re wearing high vis jackets,” he said.

“But you can guarantee they’ve seen us when we haven’t got any clothes on.

“It is a powerful way of promoting a message about road safety and body image.

“People sit up and take notice.

“Anything controversial is a good thing - the more controversial something is the more it raises awareness of the central message.”

There are two other annual naked bicycle rides in Essex - at Colchester and Chelmsford - but the Clacton protest was the first in East Anglia.

Halstead Gazette:

After it launched in 2013, the ride initially faced opposition from council leaders after they received complaints.

Participants are encouraged to ride “as bare as they dare”, with no requirement to take part completely naked.

Mr Brown insists opposition to the ride is usually minimal.

“The few comments rarely turn to anything more serious,” he said.

“This year we had one incident whereby a bloke threatened to throw eggs from his car.

“But we got photographs of him and we will be forwarding them on the relevant authorities.

“We captured him on video coming out of Magdalen Green Post Office, overtaking a line of cars and coming out on the wrong side of the road.”

He added: “But that was the only real negative.

“Most people love it - they come out to wave us on.

“We find older people tend to love it the most.

“There is a new document which details how the police are being told how to deal with us, it says being naked in a public place is a lawful activity.

“It is legal unless you are naked in order to intending to cause alarm or distress.”

Cyclists shed their clothes in a protest against car culture and dependency on oil.

But this year Alan Willis, who volunteers at Sense - a charity shop for people with complex disabilities - took part to raise money for the National Autistic Society.

Mr Brown said: “He was pleased to complete the cycle and we are hoping to carry on raising money for him.

“This is a protest, but we have become a part of the community.

“Anyone can take part and support a good cause.”

The World Naked Bike Ride has attracted people from as far afield as Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Argentina.

Rides are held across the world.

“Clacton is my ride, I organise this one and take pride in doing so,” said Mr Brown.

“It always does go very well and we hardly ever have issues.

“One or two people might react negatively towards us and say they don’t like what we’re doing.

“Well I’m not a lover of the air show, everyone parks outside my place and I can’t get out.

“This is a part of Clacton, we have been here now for seven years.”