Stephen Shapiro Offers Comment as Part of a News Report on Philadelphia’s “Naked Bike Ride”

Schnader’s Stephen Shapiro, was interviewed as part of a news report for WHYY 90.9 FM radio on the recent “Naked Bike Ride” event that occurred in Philadelphia over Labor Day weekend.  The report, “Naked Bike Ride Video Prompts Lawsuit,” detailed the concern that some bike ride participants had regarding photos and videotaping that had occurred by individuals observing the event.  The report noted that, “Wild About Philly TV shot footage and interviewed riders for a documentary it is now selling over the internet. Ride organizers characterize the video as prurient and sexual – not in the spirit of the event.” 

However, Mr. Shapiro noted that the riders may not have much of a legal case.  “Anyone has a right to photograph anything they see from a public location. Seems to me it would be difficult for someone who rode through the streets of Philadelphia to argue that they had a reasonable expectation of privacy to do that.”  He went on to emphasize that beyond the privacy issues, the constitutionally protected right to free speech makes it highly unlikely a court would prevent Wild About Philly from selling DVDs of the event.