Capital next for Boobs on Bikes

JOHN SELKIRK/Fairfax Media

READY TO ROLL: Boobs on Bikes promoter Steve Crow with one of his parade stars Evelyn White (aka Brook).

BOOBS' PROGRESS: The planned route for this year's Boobs on Bikes parade in Auckland.

Relevant offers

A judge's refusal to stop today's Auckland Boobs on Bikes parade will probably lead to more topless parades with a Wellington version already planned, porn king Steve Crow says.

In a judgment released yesterday Auckland District Court Judge Nicola Mathers rejected an Auckland City Council bid to get an interim injunction preventing the Queen St parade, due to start at 12:45pm today, weather permitting.

The judge said that though opponents may find the parade offensive or tasteless, the fact that 80,000 people attended meant a significant number did not agree.

After the ruling, Mr Crow accused the council of "running roughshod" over the rights of organisers and spectators by trying to stop the event, now in its sixth year.

"They're breasts," Mr Crow said. "And New Zealand law says that women can have their breasts out in public or be bare-chested just like a man."

Mr Crow confirmed plans for a topless bike parade through Wellington on November 7 in the lead-up to the capital's first Erotica Lifestyles Expo.

Wellington City Council had not yet been asked for consent, but the parade would go ahead regardless and would feature a topless Prime Minister Helen Clark look-alike, Mr Crow said. "The ruling supports this, it is a legal event."

At least one more parade is planned, in Christchurch next year. Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast said she was not aware of any "plans to turn the arts and culture capital into the boobs capital of New Zealand". The mayor's spokeswoman also said the parade was not in keeping with the city's reputation for arts and culture.

Councillors Stephanie Cook and Celia Wade-Brown agreed. "I don't really see it as a Wellington-type event," Ms Cook said.

Ms Wade-Brown said she was no prude but believed the parade was offensive to women and the capital's diverse ethnic groups. "It's a bit of a display that says a man's life is about motors and boobs."

The Auckland parade had been refused a permit from the council, but only bad weather would stop it going ahead, Mr Crow said.

About 30 women are expected to ride topless today, including a married Christchurch woman who was parading with her husband's blessing, Mr Crow said.

Auckland Mayor John Banks said the council had received about 1000 e-mails and 150 submissions opposing the event. Councillor Cathy Casey - who initiated the court bid - was threatening to lie in the parade's path to stop riders.

Police said yesterday they had no power of arrest for bylaw breaches, which is what parade organisers could be accused of.

Mr Crow has threatened to take a private prosecution against Ms Casey if she blocks the bikers.  

Newest First

Oldest First

Newzealander   #92   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Council should take action to enforce rules and laws to promote Fine arts and culture not porns. Violation of discipline should be prosecuted. Only then New Zealand will continue to be a peaceful and secure country in the world!!!

Jess   #91   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Don't let it go through.. It is only degrading to women and a free show for all creeps and pervs. Keep it in Auckland.

Alan Cave   #90   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

From the raunchy photos of the Auckland parade along with promotion by Steve Crow and the participation of porn actresses it is clear that this event is a public soft-porn display. It is not about Women's desires or rights to expose their breasts in public. Pornography is addictive and universally regarded as inappropriate for children. Boobs on bikes is sleazy, and should only happen in an R18 venue.

Ghost   #89   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

If any one man or woman exposed thim selffs like that to my child Thay would be shark chum with in the hour!

Grumpy   #88   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Too bad the prudes in the USA have a strangle hold on such civic minded events. We would have a great turn out!

evekiwi   #87   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

i think its disgusting and degrading.Is mr crow a law unto himself if not why can't the citizens of nz stop this,we have enough brothels etc,have we stooped so low we have to bring it out into the street

Dave   #86   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

You would fit right in in the government in Beijing.

The thing about the right to free speech is that it gives everyone the right to be offended. All those prudes protesting against (and yes you are prudes whether you like it or not), Don't go! See - that wasn't too hard was it? There are 86 posts in this thread as of this moment, but 80,000 people turned up to see the event. Sounds like a resounding success to me!

Harry   #85   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Read Moreus cartoon. Seems like a great idea to stage in Wellington and Christchurch and maybe Dunedin, but wait for some warm weather for the ladies sake and make sure that some altrusm comes from it. If it is reportable, then it's read, then a message can be put in it. Boobs love bike(r)s and bike(r)s love boobs its an age old combination that works. Leave it alone please.

Sam   #84   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

A storm in a "D" cup! How many boobs were silicone enhanced?. Hope all the horny young blokes watching get some strawberry or banana flavoured condoms from Pharmac and go up K'road. I also hope that the tanks did not damage the roads, if they did we hope Steve Crow will pay for the repairs? Were those same tanks road legal with WOF and current Registration? That is the questions that need answering!

Don   #83   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Nothing wrong with a nice set of boobs being bared and admired by all, I just wish I could be there to witness it. Hope Mr. Crow does a video of it and sells it for all to see that admire beautiful boobs

Don Greensboro NC

Ad Feedback