This evening Portland police stopped the naked group of about 20 cyclists on NE Weidler at 22nd. We had been riding lawfully regarding traffice signals, lights, etc. No one was behaving inappropriately...just having a fun evening ride. One of the name of one of the officers was Snodgrass. Didn't get the name of the other who confronted we the cyclists. Snodgrass said he would not let us continue riding until we put clothes on. If we refused I'm not sure what he would have done...a citation or arrest. After intercepting the ride with his car (we were riding in the bike lane) Snodgrass lectured the group on what he felt was the inappropriateness of riding without clothes. He said it was illegal. After some discussion the riders complied with the police demand to put on clothes and left the scene.
I'm not a lawyer but I believe (evidence indicates) Officer Snodgrass lied to us about the legality of the ride.
 link to bikeportland.org
So Officer Snodgrass...during the next naked bike ride in Portland one or more persons will have a copy of the law to present to you....then what will you do. It's not our duty to please you Officer Snodgrass...it's about the law and the law is not on your side.
From that site....
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:
(snip)
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.
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