Overexcited man barred from World Naked Bike Ride in England

Rule number one when taking part in a naked bike ride: Try not to get too fired up.

One "overexcited" man was pulled aside and spoken to by organisers at the start of a World Naked Bike Ride in Canterbury, Kent, this weekend, according to reports.

The man, who was trying to take part in the annual demonstration, was then told to put jeans on and was barred from competing in the race. His details were taken by police.

"We do not accept this behaviour and he was dealt with and removed before the ride started," organiser Barry Freeman insisted, according to Kent Online.

Kent Police confirmed in a statement to Mashable that "one individual was spoken to by the protest organiser and stewards and he was required to get dressed and leave the protest."

"His details were taken by police but no action will be taken against the man."

The spokesman added: "Generally speaking, nudity in public is not an offence where there is no intention to cause harassment, alarm and distress and therefore Kent Police did not have any grounds to stop the event."

The World Naked Bike Ride is "a peaceful, imaginative and fun protest against oil dependency and car culture," organisers say. "A celebration of the bicycle and also a celebration of the power and individuality of the human body. A symbol of the vulnerability of the cyclist in traffic."

It sees thousands of riders participate in over 50 cities worldwide.

There are a series of rides planned for the UK this summer, with cities taking part including Cambridge (June 20), Bristol (27) and Colchester (July 11). 

Tim Chester