Organisers of a naked bike ride through Canterbury today insist it is a legal and legitimate protest against car culture and highlights the vulnerability of cyclists.

And they have the backing of the police, who say they are not breaking any laws by simply riding their bikes naked in public.

It will be the fourth time the demonstrators have saddled up in the city to take part in World Naked Bike Ride.

Organiser of the Canterbury event, Barry Freeman, said: “To the small minority who declare that simple, non-sexual nudity is disgusting, shameful or harmful, I ask where they measure nudity against devastating oil spills and lethal air pollution?

“Is a fleeting glimpse of nudity really as shocking or as harmful to children as their deadly exposure to nitrogen dioxide?

“I wonder if daily issues in Canterbury like dog mess, litter, foul language and chewing gum spat out on the streets bothers them as it does me?

“And on summer days when a filthy haze of toxic air pollution hangs over the gridlocked city and they are told to stay indoors and close the windows, do they meekly obey or organise a demonstration to protest and demand their right to a better, cleaner, healthier city?”

Mr Freeman says there are strict guidelines for those taking part and police say they will only intervene if the behaviour of individual participants deviates from the stated aims of the organisers.

But a police liaison officer has been assigned to the event.

Last year, 34 riders took part but one individual was told to cover up, banned from the ride and escorted away from the assembly area after becoming “aroused”.

The city council says no special licence is needed for the event and it is allowing participants use of the Canterbury Castle grounds to assemble and prepare.

But they have also advised anyone who might be offended by the sight of the naked riders to avoid Canterbury in the afternoon.

Mr Freeman said: “Sadly, Canterbury is not exempt from serious and fatal accidents between cyclists and motor vehicles, and the nudity of the World Naked Bike Ride highlights that cyclists don’t have the protective armour of vehicles and is a stark reminder of our mortality.

“Strip away all the layers of protection and we are all naked humans, simply flesh and blood, all equals.”

The riders will assemble in the castle grounds from 2.30pm, with the ride due to set off at 3.30pm on a route through and around the city.

To sign up or for more visit www.worldnakedbikeride.org.