Fourth Annual World Naked Bike Ride Kicks Off From Franklin Park in the District

Tour de France?

More like Tour sans Pants.

Under semi-sunny skies, the District's run of the fourth annual World Naked Bike Ride kicked off yesterday from Franklin Square downtown.

Technically, folks on hand for the event weren't naked. D.C. has laws against indecent exposure, after all.

But several of the 30 or so riders found creative ways around that. A special tent was set up so riders could shed their street clothes and, using latex paint and other techniques, prepare for the ride in privacy.

"This is good for awareness," said Chris Bracken, 24, of the District, who, along with two friends, was participating in her first naked ride. "Nudity is always a good way to get someone's attention."

The goal of the two-mile trip downtown was to protest oil dependency and promote bicycles as a transportation alternative. Of course, there are ways to make these statements while wearing clothes, but let's face it -- they're not nearly as attention-getting.