Police must arrest nude riders, says mayor

[OMEN]

Tasman Mayor John Hurley claims Takaka police will look "utter fools" if they do not arrest nude cyclists taking part in Golden Bay's third annual naked bike ride on Sunday.

Mr Hurley, who on Friday signed a petition against nude cycling, said the naked ride was "abhorrent" to many in the community.

Petition organiser Ron Swan was to present the petition containing 200 signatures to Takaka police on Friday.

About 100 people are expected to take part in the clothing-optional ride from Tarakohe to Pohara. It has been organised to highlight the issue of safer cycling and to promote the use of alternative forms of energy.

Sergeant Arthur Clarence of the Takaka police said that following legal research into the issue, police concluded that nude cycling was not illegal.

"We have taken advice on the legality of their proposed action and have been advised that it falls short of an offence," he said in a statement issued this morning.

As riders were meeting in a disused industrial building in an unpopulated area and cycling to an enclosed yard behind two-metre-high fences, this was substantially different from last year's event.

"Both the police and organisers have accepted that the format of last year's naked bike ride was a mistake, but we have to move on from that," the statement said.

But Mr Hurley said it was important to all of those people signing the petition that police be seen to uphold the law.

He said the nude riders were "a bunch of radicals trying to grab a headline".

"Police arrest streakers at football matches and they will look utter fools if they don't arrest people riding nude," Mr Hurley said.

"People can do what they like on private property but nude cyclists should not be allowed on a public road."

Asked why the council had not provided safe cycleways in Golden Bay despite submissions from cyclists, Mr Hurley said cycle paths were not economically viable in areas where the population was thinly spread.

Mr Swan, who is also the conductor of the Takaka Citizens' Band, said he would be "very disappointed" if the nude cyclists were not arrested.

"If the Takaka band marched in the nude, that would stir things up," he said.

[yankeesman77]

So you can ride naked but you have to wear a Helmet. Horray for stupidity :laugh:

[thakid]

So you can ride naked but you have to wear a Helmet. Horray for stupidity :laugh:

lmao wisely said :wink: :laugh: