The legal channels have obviously broken down; the lanes were originally the law and the change was because of a fundamental corruption of the law. They're putting *back* what was illegally removed.
I would have to agree that the clown ride is a more intelligent and inviting protest, since it stays well within the law and isn't even "scantily clad." As a strategy, though, the nekkidity might bring more press coverage and therefore expose the corruption for what it is.
And I also have to agree that people *will* lump cyclists into the fringe, making it just harder to convey cycling as normal behavior that others might consider trying.