No pants, no problem: Phoenix light rail event promotes right to bare legs

PHOENIX – Many metro Phoenix light rail riders will be feeling a draft Sunday afternoon as they participate in a cheeky annual ritual.

Phoenix is once again taking part in the Global No Pants Subway Ride.

Comedy collective Improv Everywhere started the tradition in New York in 2002, and pants-free rides are planned in about 20 cities in North and South America, Europe, Australia and Asia this year.

The Phoenix version, which is in its 12th year, is organized by Improv AZ and includes a party at The Churchill in downtown Phoenix.

Participants are asked to bring a bag or backpack to carry their pants and wear any kind of underwear that keeps them from being overexposed, which means thongs and G-strings are no-nos.

Phoenix police said it’s not illegal to wear only underwear on the light rail, according to event organizers, but riders are encouraged not to do “anything dumb” while pantsless.

Three Valley Metro light rail stations have been designated as starting points and will be manned by Improv AZ representatives: 19th Avenue/Dunlap in Phoenix, Veterans Way/College near Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe and Sycamore/Main Street in Mesa.

Pants-free riders should plan to board the first train to arrive at their station after 1 p.m., eastbound for the Phoenix station and westbound for the Tempe and Mesa stops. (Make sure to leave time to buy a ticket.)

Riders can begin their voyage at other stops in order to meet up at one of the starting points by 1 p.m.

The Central Avenue/Roosevelt stop is the end of the line for the no-pants ride, and from there everybody will walk to The Churchill on Garfield and First streets for food, drinks and games.

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