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Let's see your helmets next time, Kiwi policewoman tells naked cyclists

Pair sent packing with orders to at least wear a lid next time

Two young men caught cycling in the altogether by a policewoman in New Zealand have avoided being charged with offensive behaviour – but they have been warned that next time they decide to mount their bikes in the buff, they should wear helmets.

For those of us freezing the proverbials off back in Blighty, it’s easy to forget that on the other side of the world, it’s midsummer, although most of us here would at least don a short-sleeve jersey and pair of shorts come June, however warm the temperature.

Not this pair of intrepid cyclists, however, who were out and about exactly as nature intended - that is, on two wheels, using pedal power to get around, of course.

When challenged by the policewoman in the seaside resort of Coromandel, the men, both in their 20s, offered the explanation that “they wanted to experience total freedom.”

According to the Associated Press, Officer Duder replied, “The way you’re heading, you’re going to experience total confinement.”

She said: “They were more shocked than I was, trying to cover up their bits and pieces with their hands," and joked that "They didn't seem drunk at all. That's what worried me."

Although public nudity may result in offenders being charged with offensive behaviour in New Zealand, the policewomen warned the men about not wearing helmets and sent them on their way home, since “it was dark and there was no-one else around. They were jovial young men who had not intended to cause offence."

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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6 comments

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Tony Farrelly | 14 years ago
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 1 A fast one too

Thanks for all those stories keep 'em coming in! There always crackers

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OldRidgeback | 14 years ago
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You'd never guess I'm a journalist would you.?

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Tony Farrelly | 14 years ago
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Yes, thanks for the nudge OldRidgeback  1

We spotted it too this time, but what with one thing and another it took us most of the day to get it up, as it were… it really is easy to fall into double entendre mode writing anything on this, not hard for me at the best of times. Oops there I go again.

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cactuscat | 14 years ago
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you want to get on the payroll  4

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OldRidgeback | 14 years ago
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Ha, another of the items I found on the Internet and posted on the forum finds its way here!

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lapize | 14 years ago
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I hope they'd remembered to grease their bearings.

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