KEY POINTS:
One could be mistaken for thinking Wellingtonians had never seen women's breasts before as thousands of people lined the city's "Golden Mile" to watch the Boobs on Bikes parade this afternoon.
The chilly Wellington air didn't deter over 20 topless women from riding along Featherston Street and Lambton Quay on the back of motorbikes.
The parade coincides with the Erotica Lifestyles Expo which launches in the capital this evening.
Despite Parliamentary Speaker Margaret Wilson banning the parade from the grounds of Parliament due to its commercial nature, the 20 or so women taking part left their bikes at the gate and marched topless across Parliament's lawn.
They posed for photos by the statue of Richard Seddon - but probably didn't understand the irony in posing next to the statue of a man who opposed women's suffrage as premier 115 years ago.
Boobs On Bikes and Erotica Expo organiser Steve Crow told NZPA the parade wasn't commercial - despite the Erotica logos emblazoned on the few clothes women in the parade were wearing.
"It's just a bunch of people having some fun, obeying the law and exercising our rights."
The parade was orderly and police, prepared for clashes between protesters and spectators, indicated the parade was a waste of their time.
"We've all got better things to do," Detective Senior Sergeant Simon Perry said.
A group of teenage boys in Wellington College uniforms enjoying the spectacle didn't want to give their names to NZPA but gave their assurances that their parents knew where they were.
The teens followed the parade from Post Office Square on Featherston Street, where it began at 12.45pm, to the grounds of Parliament, and were spotted climbing a wall to get a better view.
Construction workers from along Lambton Quay formed their own parade as they followed the ladies on bikes to Parliament to get the best view.
Along the parade route many spectators happily snapped keepsakes on their digital cameras and cellphones.
And while the crowd lining the streets - and peering out their office windows - was largely male, a number of women also watched the festivities.
Local office worker Christine Hall supported the parade, saying "it's natural".
"There's nothing wrong with showing what you've got."
Another worker watching the parade, Geoff Salmond, said he was enjoying "the sun and the scenery".
"It's great. They have nice bikes but the passengers... are a bit hit-and-miss."
- NZPA
