Over a hundred naked cyclists paraded through the streets of the capital under the blazing sun on Saturday.
This is the 20th edition of the Cyclonudista. The participants advocate for bodily freedom, increased safety for cyclists, and aim to promote the environmental benefits of cycling.
Cycling is one of the mobility alternatives that should be prioritised in Belgium, where cities and roads are struggling to accommodate the growing number of cars, according to the cyclonudista organisers. Secure infrastructure is essential to encourage citizens to commute by bike daily.
“There have been improvements in cycling infrastructure over the years, but they tend to be implemented in 'easy' areas, not necessarily where they are most needed and where it’s most dangerous for cyclists,” said event organiser Jérôme Jolibois.
He urges public authorities to install more cycle lanes on major and unsafe roads in Brussels.
Promoting the transition to cycling as a key mobility solution, organisers highlight the benefits of cycling on the overall quality of life.
According to them, bikes provide better air quality, reduce noise, enhance urban road safety, and counteract sedentariness, supporting good health.
The nudity of participants not only symbolises the vulnerability of cyclists amidst traffic but also broadly advocates for bodily freedom. “Being naked harms no one, unlike car pollution,” concluded Jérôme Jolibois.
