You are right — A 5,000-person naked rolling party is a good in and of itself and doesn’t need to send any particular message. However, it DOES provide a fantastic opportunity to deliver a message is that is a desired outcome (and, reading the rider comments about the event, that seemed to be important to some).

What I’m suggesting is that, if you do want to deliver some sort of message, there is a lot that can be done to help ensure that it is communicated effectively rather than leaving it up to chance or individual interperetation.

Look at it another way — this is a PR and marketing blog. If I didn’t write about the ride from a marketing perspective, it would have been inappropriate to write about it at all — and that wouldn’t have been any fun.

While I agree that the website is loaded with what you accurately label “message anarchy,” I think that you’re missing Portland’s very concise and bombastically-delivered point: riding bikes is fun and riding bikes naked is a blast! It would be easy to dismiss this ride “message” as an excuse for a Dionysian festival of political apathy, but I view every rusty bike pulled out of the garage, every jealous onlooker, and every mile pedaled as progress towards a safer, more bike-friendly Portland. For every bicyclist who rides around with “Bicycling: A Quiet Statement Against Oil Wars” sign on their bike, there quite a few who aren’t comfortable with that type of self-righteous display. I wouldn’t organize a backpatting protest against oil use but I’m proud to have helped make Portland’s World Naked Bike Ride the world’s largest because it meant tons of very visible people out having fun on bikes.

Recognize the fact that people have all different reasons for riding bikes and that, by their very nature, many of them will wear that message on their sleeve no matter what. Shift has recognized this and chosen to celebrate biking (and all you want to personally attach to that act) rather than trying to unify under a banner of bashing oil, cars, or George W. Bush. I submit that Portland’s ride is huge BECAUSE of its simple message (so simple that you missed it): bikes are great!

You are also absolutely right — Shift did a great job. Very smart move bringing in the Portland Police — and very cool for the Portland Police to be so helpful. Community is a great thing.

The items you noted are for the most part, correct. The sponsoring group, Shift (shifttobikes.org) is a group of bike-funnists,with a small purse and a lot of energy. I have no doubt that many of these suggestions could be implemented,but as a veteran of many community events,I would ask just who is going to “put the bell on that cat”?

I would gladly participate, and hope next WNBR you will be working with getting WNBRs message out, and capitalize on the great FREE publicity Portlands ride gets. WNBR is a fun way to look at a very serious issue: our dependence on oil and car based living. I would rather have those folks out on the street and watching the news look at WNBRs message,more than all those beautiful,happy bodies.