Should cycling proficiency be required of anyone who would lead a transportation organization?
Most readers of this blog would answer "yes!" My own unbiased (wink, wink) opinion would incline me to agree. But some would disagree; not so long ago, most people would have. I think one's answer depends on whether one sees bicycling as a form of transportation; although the number of people who see it that way is increasing, there are still many who see cyclists as young people with a sense of entitlement. Those, I believe, are among the people who are upset whenever a bike lane "takes" "their" parking spaces.
While we're talking about definitions: If the director of a transportation organization or agency should exhibit cycling proficiency, what, exactly constitutes it? I think most of us would agree that Pete Buttigeg, the Secretary of Transportation doesn't have it, at least judging from the video from which this still is taken:
To be fair, he even joked about his cycling skills, or lack thereof. But we all know that time and practice makes you more proficient and savvy.
That last sentence, by the way, can apply to his political aspirations. When he ran in last year's Democratic Party primaries, he was younger and less experienced than the other candidates. I think that he'll run again and, possibly, win in 2028--when he'll be about the same age as Obama, Clinton and JFK were when they entered the White House. And maybe, just maybe, Pete will ride to his inaugural--and look good doing it!
