Feature: Pants-less commuters make Vancouver fun city

People take part in the "No Pants Subway Ride" event in Vancouver, Canada, Jan. 10, 2016. (Xinhua/Liang sen)

VANCOUVER, Jan. 10 -- There was something missing for some people in Canada's western city of Vancouver on Sunday afternoon. And that was pants and they were not forgotten.

A bare-legged commuter on SkyTrain, the rapid transit metropolitan rail system of Greater Vancouver, happens every year on Jan. 10 and is all about having a good time and raising some eyebrows.

The event, put on by local group "Vancouver Improve Anywhere," attracts hundreds of brave souls each year who ride public transit without pants.

Larry Piche, who is working for Vancouver Improve Anywhere, told Xinhua on a train with excitement that the phenomenon was contagious.

"People like it. It's fun. And that's why we have people of all ages come out and drop trou and even come back year after year. So it's great," he said.

It all started in New York City in 2002 and has since spread to several big cities around the world. People have been doing it here annually since 2009.

Big city life can be isolating, with people not taking notice of each other, said one no-pants rider, Rick Johnson, who has been taking part for the past five years.

"Why taking part? Because every year, you leave the house, every one tells you which way and how to dress. This tells you everything you shouldn't do. Listen to others. Have fun. Live a little. We're a no fun city, they say. We're not. This is fun. Tell the world that we are a fun city," said Johnson.

Johnson's opinion was echoed by Piche, who said commuters tend to get stuck inside their own heads. A little bit of silliness and laughter can be a refreshing experience.

"Riding the SkyTrain, I know I do every day, you often see people with the headphones or reading a book or just totally - not ignorant - but just oblivious to other people, other things going on, and so I think riding the SkyTrain sans-pants is kind of a way of bringing people together, and at least starting up some conversation," Piche said.

In the first year, only 20 people joined the fun, but now the friendly bare-legged mob has attracted hundreds. They set a record last year, attracting 400 participants who came and went without their pants.