A clash over safety:
The mayor of a New Zealand town wants a nude cycling race to be called off — because the participants won’t be wearing helmets.
John Hurley, mayor of the Tasman District on New Zealand’s South Island, said police would look like “fools” if they allowed the race to go ahead for the third straight year, in spite of the objection of local residents.
. . .
About 100 people are expected to take part in the “clothing optional” race Sunday around Golden Bay on the southern tip of New Zealand’s South Island. The race aims to promote safe cycling and alternative energy.
Hurley said police should enforce laws which require all cyclists to wear safety helmets.
So we have a potential showdown between organizers of an event purporting to promote “safe cycling” and authorities who may enforce a safety regulation. What a dilemma.
I think somewhere under the ambit of “safety” is comfort. Simply put, if you’re not comfortable riding a bicycling, you’re more likely to have other problems.
I can’t speak from experience on this one, but I think riding a bicycle without shoes and shorts would get old pretty quickly–like after two minutes. Therefore, safe cycling includes shorts and shoes.
But maybe that’s just me.