Civil Rights
Block on Trump's Asylum Ban Upheld by Supreme Court
Naked. Bike. Rides. Three mostly harmless words that you rarely see all in one place. But apparently they've come together in a big way for coordinated events around the globe which revel in the act of riding a bike naked in public.
But are these scantily clad cycling events legal?
In most states around the country, there are indecent exposure laws which may prevent men and women from legally exposing their genitals in public.
Some states, however, only apply their indecency laws to those who show their man or lady parts for the purpose of sexual arousal or to shock others, allowing well-intentioned nudists to avoid prosecution.
Since naked bike rides have cropped up in cities around the nation, let's look at a few of these laws in major cities:
The enforcement in any of the cities hosting naked bike rides may be lax, but you should be aware of the laws in your state before you bare your lower half on a bike.
While there is some legal queasiness regarding bikers showing their genitals, riders should be able to ride topless in almost any state.
Like driving while topless, you may be skirting the law in more conservative states like Utah, but most states seem to be OK with it. This may be in small part thanks to those who have sued governments over their unequal enforcement of public indecency laws. Their message: Female breasts are not lewd, and certainly no less appropriate for public exposure than male nipples.
Still, just to be safe, you'll want to check the nudity or public indecency laws in your state before you hit the road for your city's naked bike ride.
Follow FindLaw for Consumers on Facebook and Twitter (@FindLawConsumer).
Related Resources: