The World Naked Ride is an annual, worldwide bike ride that highlights the vulnerability of cyclists everywhere and decries society’s dependence on pollution-based transport, and it is as well about promoting positive body image.

It is back again and happening on the 8th of March in Melbourne. Clothing is optional, participants may ride ‘as bare as they dare’, whatever their comfort zone. Some people will be stark naked and some will bare only a little and then there will be those who’ll use body paint to their advantage to tease all the onlookers. Naked or not, helmets are a must.

This year, in honour of Alberto Paulon, a bicycle rider who lost his life after an alleged car ‘dooring’, the nude bike ride will make a detour past Sydney Road in Brunswick where the incident happened last week. A moment’s silence will be observed and the ride will continue on. This is why the World Naked Bike Ride happens across the world to remind people the roads are for everyone to share.

Cyclists in Melbourne are to meet at, the Fox Hotel Collingwood at 12noon to move off at around 1pm and finish at Royal Park in Parkville. An hour before the ride cyclists shed their clothes according to the ride theme “as bare as you dare.

This is a party but also a protest, but since we have a love for anything that is wild, fun and nude we thought we show our support in acknowledging this event. You should too.

In case you want to go next year and you are a nude-biking virgin, here’s a list of things to make your ride as comfortable as possible while you let it all hang out.

1. Wear SPF 50. Make sure to pay special attention to those places where the sun (very often) doesn’t shine.

2. Bring a bag. You’re not going to have pockets, but you’ll need somewhere to put your phone, keys, money and your clothes.

3. Double-check your bike seat. You’re going to be up close and personal with your bike seat. Make sure the shape itself is comfortable and maybe get a new seat cover if you notice fraying, tears or other stuff that could make you even more uncomfortable than showing off your goods to strangers.

4.Wear a disguise. So you are brave enough to go full frontal, but you still don’t want just anyone taking pics of you and putting them on the internet consider some sort of disguise, like a mask, a bandanna and big sunglasses paired with a hat or wig, or use body paint all over your body and face. It might also be a good idea to keep toward the centre of the pack, too.

If you’re a naked bike-riding vet, give us your best tips in the comments.