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Thursday, 15 February 2007
Presenter: Richard Fidler
The cyclists will be riding here along Coronation Drive - less the
clothes
Brisbane is teetering on the edge of crisis as outraged citizens
express open hostility towards a nude bike ride that's planned for
the streets of Brisbane.
Dario Western is attempting to bring naturists together for the
Brisbane leg of the World Naked Bike Ride. It's anticipated that
people from 56 cities in 16 different countries will be part of the
ride, in an effort to raise awareness about environmental issues.
The bike ride is due to take place between Toowong and Milton on
March 10, but a number of concerned local mothers have banded
together to try and prevent the bike protest.
They have the support of their local councillor, the Toowong Ward's
Judy Magub. "I think it should be stopped – I can't see any reason
for it," she commented firmly. "I mean, I think it's just for
exhibitionists and I can't see any purpose in riding nude to get a
message across. There's other ways to protest and make your message
heard."
Ms Magub has a number of concerns about the ride. "First of all,
it's breaking the law – that's a police matter. It's wilful
exposure, so he is breaking the law. And some people in the
community might just laugh it off and think it's a bit of a joke,
but certainly some people might be offended by it. He has a right to
protest, of course, but other people also have a right to enjoy
public places without being offended."
The riders will be meeting police before the bike ride – it's
expected that the women will be expected to wear knickers, while the
men should don at least a sock.
Ms Magub conceded that while some people might find this offensive,
other people might support the ride. "I know there are people who
would be offended, just as there are other people who would probably
go and watch, just for the fun of it. We've got all sorts of people
in our community."
And so far, the constituents who've spoken to Ms Magub about the
ride have generally seen the funny side. "I have had nothing but
laughter. I went to my Rotary club this morning and a few people
mentioned it and had a bit of a chuckle so I think there definitely
is a light-hearted side for it."
612's listeners were divided on the subject of whether the bike ride
should go ahead. Kath in Windsor supported the cyclists. "Bring it
on!" she enthused.
"I've only got two concerns – one is that enough sunscreen is used
by said cyclists and secondly, look, if those mothers over in
Toowong are so upset, let's reroute the ride through Windsor! Let's
celebrate the human body! No more covering up!
"I think political correctness has gone too far," continued
Kath. "We always need extremists to get us to the centre ground, and
if these guys are capable of riding naked, and are happy to, then
let them do it! Our kids have got a thousand other things to be
terrified of rather than nude people on a bike!"
Richard from Beaudesert agreed. "Let it go ahead," he said. "If they
want to expose their parts, let them."
Margaret from Samford was less enthused by the plan. "Well, as long
as you don't reroute it through Samford, I'll be happy. It's not
because I'm prudish – it's just the same old story: you give them
and inch and they'll take the next mile! You've only got to look at
the human body on the TV these days, and well, you've got to draw
the line somewhere."
Ian from Rochedale wasn't keen to see people exposing themselves. "I
think it's going too far. I think if they want to do that, let them
ride first in front of parliament house – if the politicians want to
allow it, when not let them cop it first?
Last Updated: 15/02/2007 3:38:00 PM AEST
Search ABC Brisbane
Thursday, 15 February 2007
Presenter: Richard Fidler
The cyclists will be riding here along Coronation Drive - less the
clothes
Brisbane is teetering on the edge of crisis as outraged citizens
express open hostility towards a nude bike ride that's planned for
the streets of Brisbane.
Dario Western is attempting to bring naturists together for the
Brisbane leg of the World Naked Bike Ride. It's anticipated that
people from 56 cities in 16 different countries will be part of the
ride, in an effort to raise awareness about environmental issues.
The bike ride is due to take place between Toowong and Milton on
March 10, but a number of concerned local mothers have banded
together to try and prevent the bike protest.
They have the support of their local councillor, the Toowong Ward's
Judy Magub. "I think it should be stopped – I can't see any reason
for it," she commented firmly. "I mean, I think it's just for
exhibitionists and I can't see any purpose in riding nude to get a
message across. There's other ways to protest and make your message
heard."
Ms Magub has a number of concerns about the ride. "First of all,
it's breaking the law – that's a police matter. It's wilful
exposure, so he is breaking the law. And some people in the
community might just laugh it off and think it's a bit of a joke,
but certainly some people might be offended by it. He has a right to
protest, of course, but other people also have a right to enjoy
public places without being offended."
The riders will be meeting police before the bike ride – it's
expected that the women will be expected to wear knickers, while the
men should don at least a sock.
Ms Magub conceded that while some people might find this offensive,
other people might support the ride. "I know there are people who
would be offended, just as there are other people who would probably
go and watch, just for the fun of it. We've got all sorts of people
in our community."
And so far, the constituents who've spoken to Ms Magub about the
ride have generally seen the funny side. "I have had nothing but
laughter. I went to my Rotary club this morning and a few people
mentioned it and had a bit of a chuckle so I think there definitely
is a light-hearted side for it."
612's listeners were divided on the subject of whether the bike ride
should go ahead. Kath in Windsor supported the cyclists. "Bring it
on!" she enthused.
"I've only got two concerns – one is that enough sunscreen is used
by said cyclists and secondly, look, if those mothers over in
Toowong are so upset, let's reroute the ride through Windsor! Let's
celebrate the human body! No more covering up!
"I think political correctness has gone too far," continued
Kath. "We always need extremists to get us to the centre ground, and
if these guys are capable of riding naked, and are happy to, then
let them do it! Our kids have got a thousand other things to be
terrified of rather than nude people on a bike!"
Richard from Beaudesert agreed. "Let it go ahead," he said. "If they
want to expose their parts, let them."
Margaret from Samford was less enthused by the plan. "Well, as long
as you don't reroute it through Samford, I'll be happy. It's not
because I'm prudish – it's just the same old story: you give them
and inch and they'll take the next mile! You've only got to look at
the human body on the TV these days, and well, you've got to draw
the line somewhere."
Ian from Rochedale wasn't keen to see people exposing themselves. "I
think it's going too far. I think if they want to do that, let them
ride first in front of parliament house – if the politicians want to
allow it, when not let them cop it first?
Last Updated: 15/02/2007 3:38:00 PM AEST
Search ABC Brisbane
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