Bare facts of bike safety peddled

PATRICK HAMILTON/Nelson Mail

ABREAST OF THE ISSUES: Lee Heller of Tukurua prepares for Saturday's Naked Bike Ride from Port Tarakohe to Pohara.

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"Speed Kills!"

That was the predominant message painted on several participants' bare backs in Golden Bay's sixth Naked Bike Ride on Saturday.

About 60 cyclists, half of whom were naked, rode from Tarakohe to the Totally Roasted Cafe at Pohara. Some were clad in fancy dress while others wore nothing more than body paint.

The youngest "nudie" was Nelson's six-year-old Eva Patullo, whose whole family took part. "We love biking," said mum Georgie.

While numbers were down on last year's event, organiser Bike Lanes in Paradise representative Victoria Davis was far from disappointed.

The ride's aim of highlighting the needs of Golden Bay's vulnerable road users was more important than ever, Ms Davis said.

"This is a fun-loving event about a very serious issue that is costing us lives in Golden Bay. The time to talk is over. We want action and we'll be back next year." She said reducing the speed limit would be the "cheapest and the quickest option" for roading authorities to fulfil their mandate to reduce carbon emissions as well as making the roads safer.

Visitors from the UK, the USA and Australia joined cyclists from around the region to promote the cause.

"I am not a target Speed kills,", "Ladies do it on a bike", "Go Nude not crude" and "80km for Golden Bay", were among the slogans painted on backs. A global event, naked bike rides were also taking place this month in Brazil and Australia.

Pohara resident Beth Burdett was one of many local participants.

"We want to show how many people there are cycling in Golden Bay unprotected from dangerously high speed limits and sometimes inconsiderate drivers," she said.

Elly de Lange, a relieving postie in Takaka, said she felt "very vulnerable" as a cyclist.

Natalia Robinson, from the USA, described cycling in New Zealand as "scary". "People drive so fast in this country, and yet the roads are narrow," she said.

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- © Fairfax NZ News