Bikes Belong. (And everyone else?)

There's a funny debate going on with the Pedalibre group about the use of bikes in the city, and it's brought out some funny alliances.

José M., who's a PL member I don't know, went to his local golf club with his son about a month ago and was asked to leave because the golf club didn't feel that bicycle use gave the club the appropriate image. José hasn't said how long he's been a particular member of the golf club, but he was offended enough to send a letter off to the governing council of the club, asking them what was up with the anti-bike policy. (Spaniards are great whingers, but not many are willing to take action beyond flapping their gums.)

Then the real controversy started. Several members, almost all of them car owners, started in on José for being a golfer. One wrote: "It's hardly consistent that someone who's interested in the environment should take part in a sport that's aiding and abetting the irresponsible use of water." Another took José to task for participating in a sport which could be considered elitist at best, and a third – this killed me – said that it was ridiculous for a child to play golf, that a child should be doing better things. (And yes, if you're wondering, Spain does have a problem with child obesity, too.)

OK, first of all, let’s address the fact that José, evidently, is one of the few men brave enough to go on a bicycle with his children in this city. That, in itself, is pretty commendable. But I don't get this mentality that says that all behaviour has to be perfectly aligned with one point of view or another. I mean, how many cyclists have drivers' licenses? Exactly. One thing doesn't have to cancel the other out; not every form of behaviour is going to be 100% coherent in the eyes of the other.

Personally, I think José wins on more than one point. Not only does he get to take his bicycle with him to the golf club...he's also shown his son that it IS worth fighting, in a civil manner, for what you believe in.