LIMA (AFP) - Dozens of naked and half-naked cyclists rolled through Lima Saturday to press for more bike-friendly streets.

A few of the protesters stripped down completely for the 10km ride through Peru's capital.

The more modest peddlers wore underwear, while some wore masks of cartoon characters like Batman. Some riders also brought along a breed of hairless Peruvian dog.

The protesters were demanding bike lanes and better traffic lighting.

They said they also were trying to raise awareness of cycling as a healthy and environmentally friendly mode of transport.

Mr Nilton Lopez, head of a cycling group called Cicloaxion, said the idea behind their nakedness was to show that the human body is fragile compared to the chassis of a car.

"We are using nudity as a way to show that we are vulnerable," Mr Lopez said.