The fifth annual Chicago World Naked Bike Ride on Saturday June 14th
2008 was an overwhelming success, with an official participant count
of 1700.

This count was calculated using a stationary elevated video record of
the entire mass from head to toe passing a fixed point early in the
ride, counted using slow-motion, repeated four times and averaged.
The video was taken at the North East corner of Washington and Racine
as mass left a traffic signal, using a crosswalk line as count
point. Point was about 1.5 miles into ride from gathering area,
about .5 miles from Union Park check-in point. Mass there averaged a
dozen deep, passing about ten a second. Margin of error could be
high, but certainly over 100 more joined the ride well after the
count (many intentionally merging at the half-way viewing point)
making 1700 a safe figure.

Others are welcome to review the count using the video available here:
http://ChicagoNakedRide.com/photos
Several preliminary photo albums, route map, and more are also there.

Cheers to everyone for their tremendous courage! I'd guess that over
90% were in briefs or less (and paint), and 5-10% of those were nude
or bare-breasted despite risk, with gender mix not far from even.
The mass included a marching-type band and several large music
systems, over a dozen inline skaters, several skate boarders, many
art bikes, and a rear-guard of trailers. As usual, participants have
trouble describing the experience, with even gushing words like
magical, miraculous, incredible, unbelievable, transcendent,
and "best time of my life" barely sufficing.

Route covered about 14+ miles, and for our first time a text
messaging group was used to broadcast our progress live. The throng
of fans at viewing point (Belmont and Halsted) was exceedingly
massive (compressing and lengthening the mass), and we arrived there
fashionably late. Some 24,000 informational handouts were
distributed en-route. Accidents, flats, and altercations with cars
were few.

Massive kudos to the volunteers and coordinators who gave outstanding
performance and dedication under pressure. Body painting capacity
was more than doubled, and additional activities and more snacks and
water were added. Also for the first time we rented porta-potties,
and had a large after-party.

1700 nearly triples Chicago's 2007 turnout, and I would presume sets
another US record. This year we intentionally under-publicized, to
save on printing and distribution, to throttle growth and filter for
earnest and repeat participants, and to focus on safety instead of
growth. In modesty, Chicago's WNBR benefits greatly from sheer
population, an active bike culture and clubs, 10 years of Critical
Mass, bike friendly city government, good weather on ride day, and
especially being a night ride.

*** ANYONE WITH PRESS clippings or TV NEWS captures of the Chicago
ride PLEASE retain and reply. Don't assume we already have it. I'm
told I was on TV again this year, but have yet to see it. ***

Finally but foremost, boundless sincere gratitude goes to mayor
Richard M Daley and to the Chicago Police for their acceptance and
facilitation of this ride. This and other massive local rides
tangibly show Chicago's ongoing success in becoming a notably bike-
friendly U.S. city.


_______________________________________________
World Naked Bike Ride / Chicago
Promoting Freedom from Oil Addiction and Positive Body Image
Next ride, Saturday June 13th 2009.
http://ChicagoNakedRide.com