Hundreds traded clothes for rainbows at the Naked Bike Ride this weekend

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a pink background.

Hundreds of cyclists across the world stripped off this weekend to celebrate the annual World Naked Bike Ride.

Cyclists ditched their threads in favour of sun cream and body paint to promote a more body-positive world.

Hundreds traded clothes for rainbows at the Naked Bike Ride this weekend

The annual ride, which began in 2004, also highlights the vulnerability of cyclists on the road.

It also protests against car culture and oil dependency internationally.

As well as messages celebrating body positivity on people’s skin, cyclists had rainbows painted on themselves.

Some also wore rainbow flags and garlands celebrating Pride month.

It is estimated that over 1000 people turned out to the event in London, but the event was held globally.

All shapes, sizes and ages stripped off and passed landmarks in the capital including Parliament, Westminister Bridge, Covent Garden, The Mall and Wellington Arch.

Hundreds traded clothes for rainbows at the Naked Bike Ride this weekend

Cyclists in over 70 cities participated, including Los Angeles, New Orleans, Brighton and Capetown.

On Twitter, some people were confused at the sight, while much more were overjoyed at the spectacle.

“Only in London would you see at the very least over 200 naked bike riders going round Trafalgar Square,” one person wrote.

Another said: “Just witnessed a group on a naked bike ride through London. It was quite magical in its own mad way.”

Hundreds traded clothes for rainbows at the Naked Bike Ride this weekend

During the World Naked Bike Ride 2015 in Kent, a man was removed from the event after he became “aroused”.

According to witnesses, the view was “horrible”, and one person told Cambridge News: “I heard gasps and I turned around – it was a horrible sight.

“It’s fair to say he was overexcited and got aroused. It looked like he was enjoying the event a bit too much,” they added.