BIKERS in the buff are set to streak through Colchester in a protest cycle ride.

The World Naked Bike Ride group has revealed it will be asking cyclists to strip off their clothes, or as much of them as they can, to highlight their contention that too many people use their cars in the town.

The protest has run for three years in Clacton and the organisers have decided to launch their first ride in Colchester on July 11.

Co-organiser Robert Brown said: “It’s been really successful in Clacton and I was approached a while ago to launch in Colchester.

“There are several of us who have come together to organise this one. We really want to branch out.

“It’s a celebration of the human body, bikes, the environment and road safety.

“The majority of people are excellent and really get behind it.

“Of course, you get one or two people who say it is indecent exposure, but we are not doing anything illegal as it is not intended to cause distress, and when you outline the law, people realise that.”

Naked riders will meet at Jumbo before embarking on a tour of the town, including the Avenue of Remebrance, the Hythe and St Botolph’s.

Mr Brown said as the cycle ride is a protest and not an event, legally they only have to notify the police and not Colchester Council.

No roads will be closed.

Mr Brown said: “It doesn’t harm anybody. There is nothing wrong with a naked body.

“The London event is a huge success with judges, barristers and magistrates all taking part.

“I expect we will get lots of people in Colchester taking part. It is a cycle town after all.”

The Colchester ride will start at 1pm. Participants don’t have to get fully naked, with people previously wearing wigs, bikinis or underwear.

Clacton’s event is also set to return for the fourth year running on July 18.