Sanibel is a biker's paradise. We have just about twenty-three miles of shared use/bicycle paths. They take you all over the island, they are well maintained and they are safe. They are, in short, wonderful! As a result, we have two thriving bicycle rental places, and lots, and lots of visitors who rent bikes when they get here (not to mention lots of residents who bike.) Often you will see whole families out for a ride, which is also terrific.
I love to see kids and adults excercising together. But this is where my pet peeve comes in. Kids are required to wear helmets. The statute is clear: "a bicycle rider or passenger who is udner 16 years of age must wear a bicycle helmet that is properly fitted and fastened securely . . . ." (Florida Statutes, Title XIII, 316.2065 (3) d.) Most parents appear to enforce the law. Most kids seem to be wearing helmets. But their parents? Almost never! Talk about a mixed message! "Yes, Junior, you need to wear a helmet. Why? Because it will protect your head if you get in an accident or fall off your bike. And, besides, it's the law. Why don't I wear a helmet? Well, I'm an adult. I don't need to." What? Your head becomes unbreakable when you turn 16? I'm sorry--I don't mean to be so sarcastic, but whatever happened to the idea of good modeling? What ever happened to the idea that kids look up to the adults in their lives as examples. Kids need to be able to see adults wearing helmets so that they better understand how important it is!
Which brings me to the real point of this blog (although I meant every word of what I just said about helmets!) Thursday, May 23rd, 1,400 members of the Boy Scouts of America National Council will be meeting to vote on a proposal to admit gay youth into the Scouting program. Currently, they are technically not allowed to be a part of this really terrific (there's that word again) program which teaches kids so many fine lessons. Gay adults, however, will still be banned from taking leadership roles in Scouts.
Some folks don't want any gay people in Scouting. Others want both youth and adults who are gay to be allowed to participate. Allowing youth but not adults to participate is a compromise position. But it strikes me as being a bit like kids wearing helmets while their parents ride around with their hair blowing in the breeze. Talk about a mixed message!
Kids need models, kids need examples. Gay kids in particular (as high suicide rates among gay youth demonstrate) need to know they can grow up, that things will get better, that they will be accepted members of society. I'm glad there is a chance gay youth will finally be allowed into Scouting but the ban needs to be lifted for youth and adults.
Look, adults need to wear helmets when we ride our bikes. And we need to continue to work for a day when all kinds of folks are truly welcome in Scouting.
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