Greek cyclist bare (almost) all for greener city

For the third year running hundreds of cyclist, roller skaters and wheelchair users rode through the streets of Greece's second largest city as part of the World Naked Bike Ride which aims to draw attention to the role of bicycles in ecologically friendly alternatives to motor cars in urban areas.

Although billed as a naked bike ride participants dressed up in beach wear and body paint in order to avoid clashes with the authorities who had arrested people taking part in earlier Rides for "unseemingly behaviour'. Despite the friendly atmosphere more than 40 members of the police rapid response motorcycle unit and riot police squads followed at a discreet distance.

According to organisers more than 800 people took in this year's event, more than double last year's figure and the 150 who participated in the first ride in 2008