Joseph Gottschalk rides a bicycle in his neighborhood near Southside Lions Park in San Antonio, Texas. Gottschalk causes controversy by choosing to wear the minimum amount of clothing required by law while bicycling. (AP Photo)

Thong-wearing bicyclist angers park patrons

By Associated Press, 5/6/03

SAN ANTONIO -- San Antonio Park Police say they've received dozens of complaints about a man riding his bike in the park wearing only a black thong.

The 52-year-old man said he'll keep on pedaling because it's his legal right.

"We all claim to believe in the value of personal liberty, but we don't," Joseph Gottschalk said Monday. "No one person has the right to outrank the law and tell me what to wear."

By law, Gottschalk is allowed to wear the thong as long as it covers the appropriate parts. Park Police Capt. Raymond Castro said, "He's within his civil rights and legal rights to wear his thong."

Gottschalk added: "It doesn't take much clothing to take care of the requirement."