The Solstice Cyclists (also known as The Painted [Naked] Cyclists of the Solstice Parade, or The Painted Cyclists) is an artistic, non-political, clothing-optional bike ride celebrating the summer solstice. It is the unofficial start of the Summer Solstice Parade & Pageant, an event produced by the Fremont Arts Council in the Fremont district of Seattle.
The event was started by streakers who crashed the parade. The first people to do so were a small group of friends and roommates from the adjacent (Wallingford) neighborhood, several of whom were bicycle couriers by trade. Participants now emphasize bodypainting and other artistry. The group is the largest and fastest growing ensemble associated with the parade. The parade, put on by Fremont Arts Council, is held on a Saturday close to the actual solstice.
Art bikes are common and cycles include BMX bikes, cycle rickshaws, unicycles, clown bicycles, tall bikes, lowrider bicycles, tandem bicycles and tricycles. People come from all over the country to ride. Full and partial (especially topfree) nudity is popular, but not mandatory.
While cyclists open the parade, they are not in the parade line-up (except in 2003 when they had a float). Parade rules say "any printed communications, written words, recognizable logos, signage, leaf-letting, or advertising in any form are prohibited on the parade route."
Recent events include a pre-ride bodypainting party, a party ride through the city, and the parade itself at noon.
Controversy 2001 and subsequent years were controversial for the naked cyclists, including references to them as "parade crashers". In 2001, police and organizers posted laws against indecent exposure to warn of possible prosecution. Organizers claimed cyclists were getting in the way of the event's artistic freedom."If you fret, stay clear of Fremont" by Nicole Brodeur, The Seattle Times, May 17, 2001 An editorial that day (May 17, 2001) in The Seattle Times said: "They have stolen the spotlight on a parade that is supposed to be about art, not about being unclothed. Some Fremonters appear to resent that and do not want the nudists doing this. However, many welcome the cyclists. Neither of them want the cyclists wrestled to the pavement by police, spoiling the atmosphere of their parade.""Cheeky Fremont", The Seattle Times, May 17, 2001
History and media coverage
1993 In 1993 7-10 people in the Solstice Parade cycled naked, maybe three of whom were bodypainted.Information gathered by Daniel Johnson in interview done in Fall/Spring 2006 with hair stylist who had friends who were involved in the early years of the ride. Reference to the second year of naked cyclists: "It could only happen in Fremont", said one of the coordinators, Barbara Luecke. "Only such a rich artistic community could shake off the staid reserve from nearby Ballard to let loose with such creative energy and fun. ... Buck-naked cyclists who streaked the parade for the second year may have crossed the boundary of good taste (would that be Leary Way Northwest?). But one, at least, was wearing a helmet (proof that people in Seattle can get wild, but not too wild).""Free Spirits Parade Through Fremont" by Sherry Stripling, The Seattle Times, June 21, 1993
1995 Eight naked men were reported to have cycled through the parade: "All the nudes: Overheard at the Fremont Solstice Parade on Saturday was a woman spectator commenting: "Oh, no. Not eight naked men on bicycles. I hate naked men on bicycles.""Momentous Decisions For Council" by Jean Godden, The Seattle Times, June 21, 1995 A separate article a week before the parade referred to previous years with naked cyclists."Time & Again" by Ferdinand M. De Leon, The Seattle Times, June 11, 1995
1997 A cyclist was reported to have hit a child, resulting in the Fremont Arts Council asking police to be present in 1998."In The Buff, Police Call Their Bluff -- 2 Nude Bicyclists Arrested At Parade" by Arthur Santana, The Seattle Times, June 21, 1998
"Per tradition, there also were naked bicycle riders. They zoomed by so quickly it was hard to tell, um, the type of bike they were riding. 'I wish they had sort of stopped and waved,' said Blue Hesik Lan.""The Eyes Have It At Fair In Fremont -- Wild Kickoff Parade Is An Ocular Overdose" by Florangela Davila, The Seattle Times, June 22, 1997
1998 One of the ride's organizers became involved in the ride for the first time, the only one bodypainted in a group of about six. Two 28-year-old naked cyclists were arrested because, according to police, they "cut into the marching order" of the parade. Four police were involved. The city did not file charges because, according to the prosecuting office: "in order to prove indecent exposure, it's necessary to show the person's intent was to be obscene and cause alarm.""Sightings In Seattle - They're Buff" by Jean Godden, The Seattle Times, July 19, 1998 Also of note is the sightings of nude cyclists in the Capitol Hill neighborhood this year.
"Crowds booed when last year's naked riders were arrested and handcuffed.""Council refuses to ban nudity at Fremont parade" by D. Parvaz, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, June 17, 1999
"Bicyclists riding au naturel is nothing new to the quirky parade, which is known for participants in outlandish and sometimes risque costumes. But police say yesterday's arrests were made primarily for safety: The nude bicyclists typically dash quickly in and out of the parade audience."
"So, why is the only focus on the nude bikers? They were only a part of the parade for a few minutes. I did not see them.""Fremont Parade -- 20-Minute Parade Is Some Of Best Entertainment Around", The Seattle Times, July 21, 1998
1999 In the eighth year, a second-time rider hosted a bodypainting party at her Wallingford residence in response to SPD's actions of 1998 and friction between the Fremont Arts Council and Mark Sidran/City of Seattle. Twenty-odd friends gathered to get painted and ride together to the parade, including a woman who wore a 3-buttcheek bodysuit costume rather than paint. Members of the Fremont Arts Council launched a spoof of the naked bicyclists as well. Wearing flesh-colored bodysuits with exaggerated body parts sewn on, they cycled down the parade route while two bicyclists pretending to be police officers gave chase. When the truly naked cyclists showed up, they blended right in with their Fremont Arts Council bodysuit imposters.
"And, of course, there were the infamous and crowd-pleasing nude bikers, a regular attraction eagerly awaited by the parade watchers. ... 'This is not authorized by the organizers,' said Steve Lynch, one of the volunteers responsible for safety and order during the event. 'But it's just for fun, so no interventions.'""Who's The Fairest Of Them All? Fremont's -- Free-Wheeling Festival Lets Creativity Reign" by Magdalena Kulig, The Seattle Times, June 20, 1999
"Here in the self-anointed center of the universe, where the Waiting for the Interurban sculptures wear more clothing than the nude cyclists who grace the annual Solstice Parade, high-tech is moving in.""High-Tech Learns From Fremont Funk" by Helen Jung, The Seattle Times, June 22, 1999
"Meanwhile, Hadrann says the scent of rebellion is in the air in Fremont - or maybe it's just another rumor. 'Some people in the community are going to get nude if he (Sidran) starts arresting the cyclists,' he says. ... 'First, there was 50, now there's like 100 people. . . . Who knows what kind of chain reaction this is going to bring.'""Solstice Parade Fears Crackdown on Nude Bikers" by D. Parvaz, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, June 19, 1999 This article also includes Seattle Police Department Lt. Mark Kuehn's suggestions for safety for nude cyclists such as: "Refrain from trying out saddles in the nude, for obvious sanitary reasons. Hadrann suggests shoppers take along a few pairs of Chinese disposable underwear (made of paper) for saddle-buying expeditions."
"The council decided this week against posting 'no nudity' signs for the neighborhood's arts parade, where two men were arrested for naked bike riding last year. Police had asked that the signs be posted for this year's parade, set for Saturday. ...Council President Bradley Erhlich said the public nudity might be a form of artistic expression. ... 'If it is art, then the Arts Council should support them,' Erhlich said. ... Crowds booed when last year's naked riders were arrested and handcuffed."
2001 In 2001, according to The Seattle Times, there were 50 cyclists, mostly in bodypaint."Hog wild for Fremont festivities: This year's Solstice Parade bigger than ever" by Bobbi Nodell, The Seattle Times, June 21, 2002 To the amusement of many, this year an artist had a painting in the parade showing a naked female bicyclist next to a baton-wielding police officer. The pose itself could have either shown the apprehension or the cop gleefully stopping for a picture next to the bicyclist. The panel was put on a small platform on wheels and parade goers were invited to have their pictures taken with their heads poking out of the holes of the naked bicyclists and the officer.
In 2001, the city threatened to withdraw the event permit for the Fremont Arts Council because of the nudity. Signs were actually made warning naked cyclists that they may be subject to arrest. The city ended up backing off before the event day. Fremont Arts Council parade organizers urged riders to participate within the artistic spirit of the event. Many locals were very upset that the city would threaten to arrest one of the parade's most popular and creative ensembles. The blowback effect, as predicted by Seattle City Council Chair Nick Licata, ended up being more publicity and popularity for the cyclists which, in turn, led to more cyclists wanting to join the ensemble.
In efforts to combat this effect, the Seattle City Council was invited by the Fremont Arts Council to participate in the parade. Nick Licata was the only one who agreed and ended up cycling through as the "un-naked cyclist". After jeers of "Take your clothes off" he was met by a parade monitor who told him to get off the parade route, stating "Yeh? We still don't have bike riding in the parade. If one person rides then others will and then the whole parade will have bikes riding all over the place." by Nick Licata, June 17, 2001 Licata later lamented in a Seattle Times article, "I was waving to the photographer - smack in the middle of a pack of painted, naked bicyclists.""Uneasy rider in Fremont" by Jean Godden, The Seattle Times, June 20, 2001
"There was no better illustration of the fair's quirkiness than in its parade - with its wild costumes, floats and giant puppets - and nude bicyclists, which led to a flap over the permit for this year's parade. ... Before the city issued this year's parade permit, police said they have gotten numerous complaints about the nude cyclists every year. They asked the Fremont Arts Council to post signs along the parade route warning cyclists, who are not a sanctioned part of the parade, about laws against indecent exposure. The council said no, even though members discouraged the nudity. ... In 1998, two bikers in the buff were arrested. None were arrested this year.""Fremont shows its sunny side" by Reid Forgrave, The Seattle Times, June 17, 2001
2002 "What solstice is complete without nude cyclists? To get your annual fix, see the Fremont Summer Solstice Parade and Fair on Saturday and Sunday.""Resources to help you savor the summer", The Seattle Times, June 20, 2002
"As has been the tradition, a number of unauthorized naked bicycle riders start the parade. Last year there were 50 — most in body paint."
2003