These are the best Georgia cities to bicycle nude, study shows. Here’s why & if it’s legal
We’ve heard of nude beaches and nudist colonies, but this trend is quite the cheeky way to get some exercise.
It’s naked biking and yes, it’s a thing. Apparently, a widely known and practiced thing, and this month kicks off the World Naked Bike Ride.
“Every year, in cities around the world, people ride bikes naked to celebrate cycling and the human body,” as stated on the event’s website. “The ride demonstrates the vulnerability of cyclists on the road and is a protest against car culture.”
While most cities in the U.S. don’t publicly allow nudity, a 2024 study by LawnStarter found the best U.S. cities to go on a nude bike ride for the event. But is it even legal and what cities in Georgia are best for nude excursions?
Here’s what to know:
Is naked biking legal?
Well, naked biking might not actually be legal in every state, even if the activity is gaining popularity.
Georgia, like most states, has indecent exposure laws preventing many nude public activities. The law states that you can’t perform any of the following in a public place:
- An act of sexual intercourse;
- A lewd exposure of the sexual organs;
- A lewd appearance in a state of partial or complete nudity; or
- A lewd caress or indecent fondling of the body of another person.
Although the word “lewd” is added to this law, it could still depend on the law enforcement officer’s view of what “lewd” means.
Public nudity is not necessarily illegal, but law enforcement can still arrest you or give you a citation for doing so, regardless of whether it will hold up in court.
However, topless biking seems to be allowed in most states, including Georgia.
“Female breasts are not lewd, and certainly no less appropriate for public exposure than male nipples,” said Brett Snider on a FindLaw blog.
So, although cycling in the nude might not entirely be legal, there are still plenty of people that do it and enjoy it. Here’s how Georgia cities ranked among the best and worst cities for the activity:
How Georgia cities ranked
The LawnStarter study evaluated 500 of the biggest cities across the country to find the best and worst for biking in the nude.
Although the study did not evaluate cities based on the legal nature of the activity, it did rate U.S. cities based on factors such as naked biking popularity, cyclist-friendliness, nudist-friendliness, climate and safety.
The cities were given an overall score and then ranked from 1 to 500, with 1 being the best city for naked biking and 500 as the worst city for the bare activity.
So, which cities in Georgia are the best for naked biking? Let’s take a look:
Atlanta ranked within the top 50 cities in the U.S. for a nude ride, coming in at number 36.
Atlanta received high scores for naked biking popularity (21/500), nudist-friendliness (41/500) and cyclist-friendliness (51/500).
Because of Georgia’s hot and humid weather, Atlanta got a low score in the climate category (369/500). Atlanta also got an extremely low score in the safety category (438/500).
Macon was ranked 221 out of 500 for the best cities to go on a naked bike ride.
Macon received a 93/500 for naked biking popularity, 190/500 for cyclist-friendliness and a 153/500 for nudist-friendliness. However, Macon got low scores for its climate (385/500) and safety (435/500).
Columbus came in at 380 out of the 500 best cities for naked biking.
Columbus received a good score in naked biking popularity (93/500) and nudist-friendliness 156/500), but low scores in cyclist-friendliness (446/500), climate (412/500) and safety (418/500).
Warner Robins was ranked 368 out of 500.
Warner Robins received a good score in naked biking popularity (93/500) and nudist-friendliness (157/500), but received low scores in cyclist-friendliness (448/500) and climate (381/500).
Other Georgia cities on the list include:
Savannah ranked at 223 out of 500
Athens ranked at 282
Augusta ranked at 275
Roswell ranked at 386
Johns Creek ranked at 390
Sandy Springs ranked at 396
Nude biking tips from the experts
While stripping it down for a ride may sound fun, there are some things to know before you go:
“Don’t forget the basics. Make sure you have a safe, working bike and all the accessories you might need,” said Robert Watt, former president and sports director at University of Vermont Cycling. “Shoes, helmets, lights, and a repair kit are all great ideas. Consider the time of day and consult local laws on lights and helmets.”
Watt also advises naked bikers to take a change of clothes just in case of trouble, weather or if you want to grab a bite to eat afterwards.
Other tips:
Wear sunscreen. Your bits will thank you.
Take a first aid kit with you in case you fall off the bike. You could get an injury in a “no-no” spot.
Consider wearing a mask or disguise. “So you’re, um, ballsy enough to go full frontal, but you still don’t like the idea of someone snapping photos of you and putting it on the internet for posterity? Consider some sort of disguise, like a mask, a bandanna or sunglasses paired with a hat or wig,” said sports physician and biker Jordan D. Metzl.
Top 10 best U.S. cities for naked biking
If you’re an avid nude biker, here are the best cities for your next ride:
Portland, Oregon
Chicago, Illinois
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Seattle, Washington
Los Angeles, California
San Francisco, California
Madison, Wisconsin
Boston, Massachusetts
Austin, Texas
New York, New York
Top 10 worst U.S. cities for naked biking
If you are curious about cities to avoid going for a naked bike ride in, here’s the list:
Clarksville, Tennessee
North Port, Florida
Buckeye, Arizona
Franklin, Tennessee
Cape Coral, Florida
Deltona, Florida
Palm Coast, Florida
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Chattanooga, Tennessee
St. Joseph, Montana
Have you ever gone naked biking? Let me know about your experience in the comments or email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com
This story was originally published June 17, 2024 at 2:14 PM with the headline "These are the best Georgia cities to bicycle nude, study shows. Here’s why & if it’s legal."
