A Philly Naked Bike Ride participant rides along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

PHILADELPHIA -- A small crowd of students began to gather on the steps of The University of the Arts' Dorrance Hamilton Hall shortly after 5 p.m. Saturday. While some people on the streets of Philadelphia may have been unaware of what was about to take place, these students were in the know: Philly Naked Bike Ride participants were about to pass by.

A few whistle blows from lead riders off in the distance quickly brought the students to their feet, and as the riders drew closer, shrieks, cheering and nervous laughter overpowered any other sounds typically heard on a Saturday evening in the city. And much to the students' surprise, one of the riders ran over to the group and posed for a selfie with them.

Hundreds of participants, mostly on bicycles -- some chose other non-motorized modes of transportation such as skateboards or rollerblades -- relished every moment as they rode through the City of Brotherly Love. Others hid their faces under scarves or costumes, knowing there would be plenty of people taking photos and videos of the "bare as you dare" event.

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Philly Naked Bike Ride participants ride along South Broad Street in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

You do not have to be completely nude to participate; in fact, shoes are recommended for safety reasons. And many riders cover parts of their body with paint or stickers, or ride partially clothed.

Julaine Holihan, of Baltimore, brought her children, ages 3 and 6, with her for the ride. She wanted to normalize nudity for them, and desexualize it.

"Exposing kids to a positive atmosphere where they can feel positive and good about their bodies, about someone else's body, and know that people are different, they look different," Holihan said. "It's not a bad thing."

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An onlooker reacts as Philly Naked Bike Ride participants ride along South Broad Street in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

This year's 9.21-mile route -- organizers change it each year -- began at FDR Park and took the participants past famous Philly landmarks such as Pat's and Geno's, Rittenhouse Square, City Hall, and the National Constitution Center, ending at Eakins Oval. The ride took nearly two hours to complete.

Organizers said the purpose of the event is to promote the safety concerns of bicyclists and pedestrians as well as body positivity, while focusing on the world's dependence on oil.

"I like it because it's not really any political message," George Thuronyi, of Arlington, Virginia, said. "It's just people celebrating themselves."

Similar rides have taken across more than 70 cities the U.S. and 20 countries, according to WorldNakedBikeRide.org.

Scroll below for more photos of this year's Philly Naked Bike Ride.

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Philly Naked Bike Ride participants paint their bodies during pre-ride festivities at FDR Park in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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Philly Naked Bike Ride participants ride along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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An adult quickly covers the eyes of two young boys as Philly Naked Bike Ride participants ride past City Hall in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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A Philly Naked Bike Ride participant takes a selfie with a group of students along South Broad Street in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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Philly Naked Bike Ride participants enjoy pre-ride festivities at FDR Park in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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Philly Naked Bike Ride participants ride along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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Philly Naked Bike Ride participants paint their bodies during pre-ride festivities at FDR Park in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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Philly Naked Bike Ride participants ride along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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Philly Naked Bike Ride participants ride past City Hall in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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Philly Naked Bike Ride participants line up for some cool treats from Mister Softee during pre-ride festivities at FDR Park in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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Philly Naked Bike Ride participants enjoy pre-ride festivities at FDR Park in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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Philly Naked Bike Ride participants ride along South Broad Street in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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Onlookers react as Philly Naked Bike Ride participants ride along South Broad Street in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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Philly Naked Bike Ride participants ride along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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A Philly Naked Bike Ride participant relaxes on a blanket and looks at his cell phone during pre-ride festivities at FDR Park in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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Philly Naked Bike Ride participants enjoy pre-ride festivities at FDR Park in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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Philly Naked Bike Ride participants ride along South Broad Street in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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Philly Naked Bike Ride participants ride along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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Philly Naked Bike Ride participants ride along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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A Philly Naked Bike Ride participant displays the message "Riding bare for clean air" on his body during pre-ride festivities at FDR Park in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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Philly Naked Bike Ride participants ride along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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Philly Naked Bike Ride participants ride along South Broad Street in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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A group of students react as Philly Naked Bike Ride participants ride along South Broad Street in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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Philly Naked Bike Ride participants enjoy pre-ride festivities at FDR Park in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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Philly Naked Bike Ride participants pose for a photo during pre-ride festivities at FDR Park in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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Philly Naked Bike Ride participants ride along South Broad Street in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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Philly Naked Bike Ride participants ride along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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Philly Naked Bike Ride participants ride along South Broad Street in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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Philly Naked Bike Ride participants enjoy pre-ride festivities at FDR Park in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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A Philly Naked Bike Ride participant rollerblades along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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Philly Naked Bike Ride participants ride along South Broad Street in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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A man records as Philly Naked Bike Ride participants ride past City Hall in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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Philly Naked Bike Ride participants ride along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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A Philly Naked Bike Ride participant displays the message "Be real not perfect" on his back during pre-ride festivities at FDR Park in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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Philly Naked Bike Ride participants ride along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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A Philly Naked Bike Ride participant displays the message "Your body is OK, don't worry" on his body during pre-ride festivities at FDR Park in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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Philly Naked Bike Ride participants ride along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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Onlookers take photos and videos as Philly Naked Bike Ride participants ride along South Broad Street in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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Philly Naked Bike Ride participants ride along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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Onlookers react and take photos as Philly Naked Bike Ride participants ride along South Broad Street in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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A woman has a message painted on her back during Philly Naked Bike Ride pre-ride festivities at FDR Park in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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Philly Naked Bike Ride participants ride along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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Philly Naked Bike Ride participants enjoy pre-ride festivities at FDR Park in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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Philly Naked Bike Ride participants ride past City Hall in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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Philly Naked Bike Ride participants enjoy pre-ride festivities at FDR Park in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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Philly Naked Bike Ride participants ride along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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Philly Naked Bike Ride participants ride past City Hall in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

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Philly Naked Bike Ride participants ride along South Broad Street in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

RELATED STORIES:

Shock and wonder at the Philly Naked Bike Ride. 'I'm not sure whether to look or to cover my eyes.' -- A look back at photos from the 2018 PNBR

Naked or bust: Philly Naked Bike Ride promotes bicycle safety -- A look back at photos from the 2017 PNBR

Lori M. Nichols may be reached at lnichols@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Lori on Instagram at @photog_lori and Twitter @photoglori. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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