A long-standing tradition of naked bicycle protests has fractured, leading to two competing rides this year. The original World Naked Bike Ride (WNBR), which began in 2004 as a global movement to protest car culture and promote body positivity, has seen a splinter group emerge in Portland, Oregon. The new group, calling itself the “Bare-As-You-Dare Ride,” argues that the original event has become too focused on partying and not enough on activism.

Organizers of the original ride, however, defend the festive atmosphere, saying it attracts a wider audience. “The party is the bait,” said Janet Spencer, a longtime WNBR coordinator in Portland. “People come for the fun, but they stay for the message.” The rift has led to two separate events scheduled on the same day, with both claiming to uphold the original spirit of the protest. The dueling rides highlight a deeper debate within activist circles: whether joy and celebration can coexist with serious political messaging. Some participants worry that the split will dilute the movement’s impact, while others see it as a healthy evolution.

Attendance at the original ride last year was estimated at 1,200 participants, while the new group expects around 400 for its inaugural event. Meanwhile, similar splits have been reported in other cities, including San Francisco and London, raising questions about the future of the global naked bike protest movement.