A naked cyclist participating in a charity ride was allegedly attacked by two men on an e-scooter, narrowly avoiding serious injury when he was nearly pushed into an oncoming bus. The incident occurred on Saturday, June 20, in Chelmsford, Essex, during the Four Seasons Naked Bike Ride event.
The cyclist, identified as Mo, reported that two men on an electric scooter approached him from behind, passed him, then turned back. The individual on the back of the scooter kicked Mo in the thigh. Video footage captured the moment of the assault.
Mo stated that the impact was absorbed by a wide area of his thigh, preventing severe injury, but he sustained red bruises. He expressed his determination not to let such violence deter him from future protests.
Essex Police confirmed they are investigating the alleged assault, which took place on Duke Street between 4 p.m. and 4:20 p.m. As of the latest reports, no arrests have been made.
The Four Seasons Naked Bike Ride is described as a protest against car culture and a celebration of the bicycle and the human body. This incident is not the first to occur during a similar event. Less than a year prior, Robert Brown, a naturist, reported being punched off his bike by a binman during a Naked Bike Ride in Colchester, Essex. Brown, 59, sustained grazing to his limbs and now uses a walking stick for longer distances. The binman, Lee Turnage, 46, later received a suspended prison sentence for causing actual bodily harm.
Brown, a participant in the rides for 15 years, emphasized the importance of public understanding regarding naturism, stating that public nudity is not inherently illegal. British Naturism defines naturism as a philosophical belief in a natural, naked lifestyle. According to the College of Policing, naturists have a right to freedom of expression, and criminal offenses only occur if they commit sexual offenses or engage in behavior likely to cause harassment, alarm, or distress. The common law offense of outraging public decency applies when behavior is deemed lewd, obscene, or disgusting enough to shock.