THEY ARE the cyclists who dare to bare all in an attempt to tell the naked truth about environmental issues.

Every year they strip off to take part in the World Naked Bike Ride, an event that aims to focus attention of Britain’s “car culture” and the dangers faced by cyclists.

This year’s event will take place on June 14 from 6.30pm to 8.30pm with riders meeting on Southampton Common opposite Omduman Ride.

According to organisers, the ride is a peaceful, imaginative and fun protest against oil dependency and car culture.

It is a celebration of the bicycle and also a celebration of the power and individuality of the human body.

Held in towns and cities around the globe, the World Naked Bike Ride aims to celebrate “body freedom” as well as highlighting the vulnerability of cyclists and drawing attention to the ever-increasing use of fossil fuels.

Riders hope to highlight the vulnerability of cyclists in traffic.

The Southampton event plays a part in the world’s biggest naked protest taking place across more than 50 cities with thousands of riders participating worldwide.

One of the riders who took part in the 2014 Southampton ride had the words “less gas, more ass” painted on his back.

Some of the cyclists use bikinis, shorts and even huge hats to hide their modesty, but most are kitted out in their birthday suits.

In 2016, the Southampton ride saw dozens of naked and scantily-clad campaigners tackle a six-mile route that included Portswood, Bevois Valley and the city centre.

Organisers say simple nudity is not illegal in the UK, but using it to intentionally cause harassment, alarm or distress is against the law.

Work is also underway to create a new segregated cycle lane in Southampton. The £470,000 cycleway along Third Avenue will run parallel to Millbrook Road West and is expected to be completed in late June.