January 27, 2006

LETTERS2theEDITOR

BMX unwelcome at local parks

Dear editor,
It’s wonderful that the city of San Jose has finally come to its senses and built public skateparks, with Lake Cunningham regional park on the way. One thing that has left me scratching my head, though, is the fact that BMX bikes are prohibited from San Jose’s current parks and may be in danger of suffering the same fate with the new one. After over a decade of riding BMX in countless skateparks, I must exhort that there is absolutely no valid reason as to why BMX should not be welcome. There are a multitude of skateboarders who will argue the exact opposite of my opinion, and they have the unfair advantage of the word “skatepark” itself. This term can be assumed to imply that these parks are designed explicitly for skateboards, but this is simply not true. Unfortunately, those who hold the final say in a park’s design and construction are often deceived by this term, unintentionally becoming contributors to the undue discrimination BMX has suffered in recent years.

There are many skateparks throughout the world which have successfully allowed BMX and skateboard use simultaneously. For example, Louisville, Kentucky’s public park, the quintessential example of a well-run and well-designed modern public park, allows unrestricted access to bikes. Skaters and bikers have cohabitated in the park with virtually zero problems since day one.

Many skateboarders can spout a list of reasons why skateparks shouldn’t allow bikes in. I will concede that there is a valid argument about some existing parks being built of inferior quality concrete that can wear out prematurely when ridden by bikes, but Lake Cunningham is still in the planning phase and the appropriate grade of concrete is common and the cost increase is negligible.

There is undeniable proof discrediting every argument against BMX being allowed in this park. Countless skateparks have considered BMX in the design phase and suffered zero harm from equal use boards and bikes. I have refrained from specifics to keep it short, but I will implore those who are in charge must not fail their duties to us, the citizens, and ignore the real facts about the project at hand.

Paul Somero

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