Y’all are making me laugh, with your sudden political activism, writing letters to the Governor and such.  Solo or small group outdoor cycling, from what we know, is a COVID-19 low risk activity (not including cycling in any high-use areas).  However, even in NM, there are lots of people who don’t want to wear a mask or socially distance during high risk activities.  MLG is more than busy enough dealing with them.  

Even if MLG received an unlikely one thousand, or two thousand letters (0.05 to 0.1 % of NMs population), why would she bother with the difficulties of making a special exemption?   How is it that the general public is going to perceive an exception for cycling as being fair?  Where do you draw the line?  People out walking their dogs are getting exercise.  What makes cyclists so special?  Besides that, cyclists have no political voice, zero political capital. 

Over the years, Duke City Wheelmen has offered cyclists many opportunities to come together and develop a political identity.  But largely those efforts have brought out very few supporters from this list-serve.  If you are not sure what I am talking about, think about how many of you supported, over 5 years, “Can You See Us NOW?” or have ever, since 2011, come to the Round House on bicycle/motorcycle day during a legislative session?  How many letters did you write in support of legislation that would have given a judge the option of assessing a penalty more in line with the crime of killing a cyclist?  (Or maybe you think that a $300.00 fine and/or 90 days jail/probation is enough?)  How many placements of the 45 ghost bikes in New Mexico that DCW is responsible for have you ever come to?

You can of course now voice your dissatisfaction about having to wear a mask when cycling outdoors, from your well-off-enough-to-own-an-expennsive-road-bike-and-have-time-to-ride-durinng-a-pandemic, white, (mostly) male perch.  Or you might want to use your place of privilege to set an example, deciding that protecting others is actually really important. 

Remember, some international locations banned outdoor exercise altogether due to the pandemic (parts of Italy & Spain + areas Paris).  Maybe we should just be happy with the fact that we can ride outside and are healthy enough to do so, accepting this measure as our small contribution to the effort of keeping SARS-CoV-2 from running rampant in our State.   That’s what I’ll be doing going forward.

Jennifer Buntz