"Only in Philly!"

That was the common refrain from bystanders as they watched thousands upon thousands of naked bicyclists ride down South St. on Sept. 9.

The Philly Naked Bike Ride returned for its 9th year that day. The annual ride strives to promote body positivity and fuel conscious consumption, as well as to advocate for cyclist rights.

It's struck a chord in Philadelphia, growing bigger and bigger every year, with roughly 4,000 people cycling naked in 2016.

"I think a lot of people take pride that it happens here," said organizer Matt Deifer. Philadelphia's naked bike ride is the second largest in the country (Portland holds the crown for biggest). "This is the 9th year and we've never had an issue... it's been a totally positive gathering."

Deifer feels like it has helped slowly desexualize nudity too.

"Everyone's naked everyday at some point during the day," he said. "Most everyday people I see in America feel uncomfortable being around naked people, but that's our natural bodies.

"But once you're around people who are naked and you're around that natural human existence, it shifts the way you view the world and about yourself," he continued. "It helps you not be hung up on one part of your body, you just accept it."

It's a sentiment that participant Alan Gold agrees with.

"Body image is very important," he said. "A lot of people are ashamed of their bodies, but if they see people of all shapes and sizes they see that they can do [be naked] and maybe the body isn't so bad."

Reception to the naked cyclists is almost always positive too as they go throughout the streets of the city.

"The streets are lined with people, families, young children, old, everybody has their camera recording the whole thing," Gold said. "Everybody's smiling, not a frown among them."

You can see photos from this year's Philly Naked Bike Ride in the gallery at the top of this post. For more information about Philly Naked Bike Ride, visit philadelphianakedbikeride.wordpress.com.

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