July 17/03 9:18 am - Vancouver Cyclists to Take Back the Streets

Posted by Editoress on 07/17/03
 

Wholesome Undie Rides Sunday, July 20th

Streets Are For People, Not For Cars
Wholesome Undie riders say "Gentlemen, Stop Your Engines!"

On Sunday, July 20, the fourth annual Wholesome Undie ride will take to the streets of Vancouver.

When: 12:00 Noon, Sunday, July 20th
Where: Vancouver Art Gallery (Georgia Street Side)

Slower, sexier, and smarter than the Molson Indy (http://molsonindy.com/vancouver) - the Wholesome Undie has all the thrills of Vancouver's loudest corporate spectacle, but it features riders on bicycles... dressed in their underwear!

The Wholesome Undie will begin with a Briefing at the Art Gallery, after which the crack team of Undie Riders will roll through the street of downtown Vancouver. The ride will occupy the roadway, not blocking traffic, because WE ARE TRAFFIC.

Undie Racers will re-claim the streets with their elegant, inexpensive, human-powered vehicles. Instead of the roar of combustion engines, they will serenade the city with ringing bells, songs and raps, and the whisper of fine lingerie. The Undie won't cause any pollution, since Undie racers emit only natural gas. Undie vehicles don't go as fast, but they go in style.

With greenhouse gas emissions and climate change causing massive and escalating worldwide damage, the last thing we should be doing is glorifying the use of motor vehicles through car races. We do not accept that there is any net economic benefit to the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD), as most people have a fixed entertainment budget which will be spent whether or not there is a Molson Indy or not. The time has come to find healthy, car-free alternatives.

This year's Wholesome Undie ride is hot on the heels of the over 800 strong June 27 Critical Mass Ride www.alternatives.com Last year's Wholesome Undie ride was selected by the Georgia Straight and its readers as the 2002 Best Protest in Vancouver (www.straight.com).