Her costume of choice: her own naked body, covered in paint. Bricker, 32, is one of many local Seattleites who participate in the annual event.
This year's parade takes place on Saturday, June 21, from noon until 3 p.m. People start out near the Green Lake, Phinney and Fremont neighborhoods, eventually making their way to Gas Works Park for the Solstice Pageant.
In the beginning
But how, in this annual celebration of artistic expression, did nude bicycling first come into play?
According to Stuart Prado, a Licton Springs artist and parade participant, the trend started serendipitously. He said that, several years ago, a few people would streak nude on their bikes for fun. Each year thereafter, more people followed suit, until Seattle bicycle officers caught on - but not for too long.
"It reached the point where the cops overlooked it," Prado said, adding that it's now pretty casual for people to bike nude during the parade. Prado first joined the Summer Solstice Parade in 1986 as part of an Egyptian-themed ensemble (one member even dressed up as Cleopatra).
He has been in every parade since, except the year the festivities conflicted with his high school reunion.
For people like him, it's a chance for artistic expression and to get in touch with the kid inside of you.
"The parade offers something to the community, children of all ages," he said. Bricker became involved in the parade more than three years ago through word of mouth.
"My friends were doing it," she said. "It seemed like fun, and it combined my love of cycling with my love of art and free expression."
Both Bricker and Prado haven't been too hassled by police officers or anyone else, as they emphasize the festivities are all in good fun and inclusive of all people.
"Taking part in the parade event is not outwardly a political statement for 'nudism' or 'naturalism.' It's just something fun," Bricker said. "I think [this parade] is the coolest parade in Seattle, due to its originality, creativity and inclusiveness."
Getting some exposure
Bricker said that her first nude bicycling experience was a total lark, as she and her friends biked from the Ravenna neighborhood, along Northeast 45th Street, to Gas Works Park.
As the cacophony of people cheering and honking their horns swelled, her only response was to laugh and smile - a lot.
"I couldn't stop giggling. I couldn't stop smiling," Bricker said. "I had the biggest grin on my face the entire time."
Bricker also believes that the human body in its natural state is frequently met with uproar in Western culture, whereas in Europe, there is a much more accepted and cavalier attitude toward incorporating nudity with artistic expression.
"The naked body still seems to be connected more with sex than just seen as a natural state of being, which I find to be very narrow-minded and disappointing," Bricker said.
Both Bricker and Prado believe the event is not a "nude parade," but a celebration of art and culture - and summer.
"We're pretty exposed, but not totally nude," Prado said.
Prado, 45, a self-described landscape artist, graphic artist and organic gardener, added that he uses live plant material he grows himself. Because of this, he has to put his costume together at the last minute.
"I grow flowers, eat flowers and wear flowers in the parade," Prado joked.
Bricker covers nearly every inch of her body with paint, which she said makes her not really naked at all.
"My breasts are not what you immediately notice. It is the swirls of color, or the silver polka-dots, or the red hearts filled in with glitter [that you notice]," Bricker said, adding that the paint needs a clear canvas, and clothing disrupts the flow of her designs.
From a different perspective
The trend of biking nude - with supplementary artwork - is only one aspect to the parade, which, Prado said, has a terrific turnout each year.
"The only people who can [really] see the parade are the people in bicycles riding through it," he said.
As the solstice itself celebrates the beginning of summer, Bricker believes what she and many others do each year is the perfect way to kick off the city's often gorgeous summer season.
"It seems only natural to welcome summer with brightly painted bodies on bicycles," Bricker said.
