The story behind Seattle's naked Solstice cyclists
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Cyclists in the naked bike ride at the 2019 Fremont Solstice Parade. Photo: Genna Martin/Seattlepi.com via Getty Images
More than 30 years ago, a few naked bicyclists crashed the Fremont Solstice Parade — an unsanctioned stunt that has grown into one of Seattle's signature summer spectacles.
Why it matters: The body-painted riders are a symbol of the city's expressive, offbeat spirit, kicking off a summer parade known for giant puppets, dancers and DIY art.
- About 1,000 nude cyclists are expected to ride ahead of Saturday's parade.
Catch up quick: The Fremont Solstice Parade debuted in 1989, greeting summer with a burst of artistic flair. Local news accounts place the first streakers-on-wheels in the early '90s.
Flashback: In 1993, a Seattle Times writer quipped that the "buck-naked cyclists" may have "crossed the boundary of good taste" — but at least one wore a helmet, proof Seattleites "can get wild, but not too wild."
Yes, but: The city wasn't always amused. In 1998, police arrested two riders.
- In 1999 and 2001, city officials asked the Fremont Arts Council to post signs along the route warning that indecent exposure could lead to arrest.
- The council declined — and, as The Seattle Times put it, "the nude cyclists rode unmolested and unarrested into summer."
Between the lines: The colorful body paint was part of a compromise that helped the city relent, Maque daVis of the Fremont Arts Council wrote in an emailed statement shared with Axios.
- The idea was "that if the cyclists were painted and became 'art,' they could ride as part of the parade," daVis wrote.
- The Solstice Cyclists now ride ahead of the parade — a collaboration that involves planning calls on Zoom and "ride guides" to help keep cyclists on course, Ethan Bradford, a longtime organizer of the cyclists, told Axios.
What they're saying: While the ride itself "is always exciting and fun," getting together in advance to get painted is "actually the best part," said Bradford, a retired software programmer who first rode nude in 2007.
- Those "paint parties" involve hours of bonding — and sometimes, helping color each others' backs.
- "I tell people, it will be the highlight of your life," Bradford said. "It will be out of your comfort zone."
- But, he added, "It doesn't seem naked when you're all painted."
What's next: This year's parade begins at 1pm Saturday, with the nude cyclists expected to roll through around 12:45pm.
- After the flash of body paint and bare skin, about 60 ensembles will parade down North 36th Street, including stilt walkers, costumed dance troupes and handmade floats.
- It corresponds with the two-day Fremont Fair, featuring a craft market, live music, food and a dog parade.
