“The Portland Police Bureau recommends that all riders at least wear a helmet and shoes to avoid any potential injuries. Being naked in public in Portland is legal if it falls within the guidelines of ORS 163.465”
— From a Portland Police Bureau press release
Like I mentioned last week, the Portland Police Bureau is well aware that there will be over 10,000 naked people on bikes riding through the streets tomorrow night at the World Naked Bike Ride.
Today, the PPB released a press release about the event. Their statement is meant to give participants a legal context for the ride, in case anyone was curious about public nudity laws. Read the full statement below:
The World Naked Bike Ride is set to roll through the streets of Portland this Saturday, June 18, 2011, at 10:00 p.m. Riders will gather at 9:00 p.m. at Southeast Water Avenue and Salmon Street. Event organizers estimated the number of participants last year to be 13,000 people.
The Portland Police Bureau will have extra officers on hand to ensure everyone is safe and to provide assistance at intersections.
The Portland Police Bureau recommends that all riders at least wear a helmet and shoes to avoid any potential injuries.
Being naked in public in Portland is legal if it falls within the guidelines of ORS 163.465, which are included below.
ORS 163.465. Public indecency
(1) A person commits the crime of public indecency if while in, or in view of, a public place the person performs:
(a) An act of sexual intercourse;
(b) An act of deviate sexual intercourse; or
(c) An act of exposing the genitals of the person with the intent of arousing the sexual desire of the person or another person.(2)
(a) Public indecency is a Class A misdemeanor.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this subsection, public indecency is a Class C felony if the person has a prior conviction for public indecency or a crime described in ORS 163.355 to 163.445 or for a crime in another jurisdiction that, if committed in this state, would constitute public indecency or a crime described in ORS 163.355 to 163.445.
Now you know.