The man behind Canterbury’s infamous naked bike ride has challenged councillors to jump in the saddle to experience the threat posed to cyclists.

Barry Freeman says just one day riding on the city’s streets would be enough to highlight the risks bikers face, with the district recently revealed to be Kent’s most dangerous.

He was speaking ahead of the fifth World Naked Bike Ride around Canterbury today, which aims to raise awareness of cyclist safety and promote greener travel.

Mr Freeman said: “Canterbury tops the list as the most dangerous area to cycle in Kent with 53 recorded injuries to cyclists in 2015, with nine of those being serious or fatal.

“We challenge every city councillor to spend at least one day cycling around and through Canterbury to experience up close the threat of motor vehicles and the toxic pollution they create.

“They would also experience the fears of sharing cycle lanes with buses and taxis and to be more aware of the dangers potholes pose for cyclists.”

Canterbury’s naked ride is the first of 15 similar protests taking place across the country.

But it has not been without controversy in the past, with some residents branding it disgusting.

The city council has also been criticised for previously suggesting shoppers stay away from the city centre if they feared they might be offended by the nudity.

But Mr Freeman insists the riders will not be breaking the law and says complete nakedness is not obligatory, with the advice being “bare as you dare”.

“Our nudity, as part of our protest, is legal,” he said. “We have again consulted with the council and police and we thank them for facilitating and monitoring the Canterbury World Naked Bike Ride.

“Is a fleeting glimpse of nudity really as shocking or as harmful to children as their deadly exposure to nitrogen dioxide?

“We applaud all the various groups in Canterbury who are working to improve air pollution and safer cycling, but we do not accept the apparent buck-passing by the city council to the Kent County Council on matters like instigating at least one car-free day in Canterbury.

“Such days are now commonplace elsewhere and Canterbury should follow the examples set by the city councils in Bristol and York."

The naked cyclists assembled in the grounds of Canterbury Castle and set off at 3.30pm on a route around and through the city centre.

With a fine weather forecast, riders donned fancy dress hats and high-vis jackets... just in case shoppers couldn't see them.

Twenty riders took part last year.