Houston’s 14th edition of World Naked Bike Ride, which happened Saturday 13 September 2025, drew more interest than usual from local media outlets. The news reports led to the unexpected participation of several officers from the Houston Police Department. And, before you ask: No, the police officers did not ride Bare As You Dare.
This year’s H-Town WNBR theme, “Take the Lane,” came about in response to Mayor John Whitmire’s unilateral calls to dismantle some recently installed safe-cycling infrastructure, such as the protected bike lane on Austin Street between Houston City College’s central campus and downtown. The removal of bike lanes and other safety improvements had already caught the attention of the Houston Chronicle‘s news staff, so the WNBR theme dovetailed nicely with ongoing coverage of that issue. Stories about the Bike Ride emphasized the organizers’ general disgruntlement at the mayor’s actions and the lack of opportunity for public input regarding those actions. The route of the ride itself included the stretch of Austin Street, which is still in a state of disrepair nearly four months after the removal project began.
The ride received advance press coverage from the Chronicle, the Houston Press, and Houston Public Media. Crews from local TV stations KHOU-11 (CBS) and KRIV-26 (FOX) also showed up on the evening of the ride. The news coverage attracted a fair number of first-time riders, plus some people who showed up at Super Happy Fun Land to show their support. SHFL’s proprietor Brian “Flakey” Arthur counted about 80 riders in all, a good turnout for Houston.
The coverage also came to the attention of HPD Chief J. Noe Diaz, who directed a police sergeant to ride with WNBR and enforce Houston’s Public Nudity ordinance. Riders were informed that they would get one talking-to if they elected to flout the ordinance, and a citation for refusing to cover up when asked. The sergeant was accompanied by several officers on All-Terrain Vehicles, who (without being asked) blocked cross-traffic at major intersections on the great majority of the ride (minus the final leg), so that the riders could proceed safely through.
Overall, interaction with the HPD representatives was positive and peaceful. While the prohibition against riding completely naked blunted a major purpose of the ride (nudity symbolizing vulnerability), it also meant that those who complied need not fear the prospect of an expensive citation or a misdemeanor charge.
H-Town WNBR would like to thank Super Happy Fun Land for hosting the ride, as well as Bohemeo’s, Lola’s Depot, and Tony’s Corner Pocket for welcoming the riders along the way.
Houstonians who missed this year’s ride have another opportunity coming up in Austin, Saturday night 4 October, beginning and ending at Pease Park.