Anybody Got A Paintbrush?!?

There has been a lot of chatter in the last couple days on social media among the lady cruiser riders in the BMX community after a condescending post was made by USABMX’s chief communications officer, Gork, in his 2017 Midwest Nationals Race Report.  He stated, “Okay; at the risk of offending every older ladies cruiser racer in USA BMX, I am going to admit that for me, watching the BMX moms out there rolling around the track can sometimes be as thrilling as watching paint dry or grass grow.”  He later added the anecdote that, “Heck; I would describe my own racing as that too.”  A disclaimer was also added to the post and modified a few times.  It currently reads, “DISCLAIMER: **The views and opinions of this author – gOrk, do not represent the opinions or views of USA BMX. All of us here at USA BMX encourage all riders, of all ages, to compete and enjoy the fun, excitement and thrills of BMX racing. If you are offended at his “watching paint dry” comment, please feel free to let him know at: gork@usabmx.com.”  At one point it simply stated that if you are offended by watching paint dry contact……

There have been a lot of reactions to this article on social media ranging from disappointment to anger to disbelief.  I have yet to hear anyone commend it as funny or appropriate in any way, although there may be some out there that do.  I, however, do not feel that it was in anyway acceptable or appropriate.  I felt that the best response was to email the powers that be at USABMX voicing my concerns, which I did yesterday, but to date have not heard back (but I didn’t really expect to).  Below is my letter:

Dear USABMX,

My heart is saddened by the recent race report posted by your chief communications officer. A disclaimer at the end stating it’s only his opinion when he is in fact an employee and the head of your communications department is not sufficient to undo the damage of his misogynistic comment equating watching lady cruisers to watching paint dry. I spend multiple evenings a month running free clinics to get new riders interested in this sport that I love so much, but I struggle, knowing the sanction can allow one of their staff to treat the women of this sport so disrespectfully. This is a horrible message to be sending to our young impressionable girls who frankly look up to many of these lady cruiser riders. It is also a poor example for all of our young men in this sport as well.

Not that the money should be the important factor, but, I’m curious how many lady cruiser riders (& 20″ riders) there are in the usabmx sanction. To date 136 of us have raced cruiser at least once at nationals this year (and 44 have raced 20″). All of those entries for one weekend equate to $18,000 (but obviously many of us have raced more than one national weekend this year). Plus many lady cruisers are also getting their kids to races and other people’s kids. This is a valuable group in our sport. We are mentors and coaches and riders who spend hours training and teaching and promoting this sport. I challenge USABMX to send a loud and clear message that misogyny will not be tolerated and that the women and girls in this sport are just as valuable as the men and boys.

Regards,
Bethany Price
N.A.G Rider
Local Race Scene Advocate
USABMX Coach

We are so much more (#anybodygotapaintbrush)

I love this sport that I have committed my life to for the past 23 years.  We are so much more than just moms rolling around a dirt track….

We Battle….

  

We Train…

  

We Travel…

  

We Have Skills…

  

We Get Injured…

  

And We Mentor…

  

I love my sport and I will continue to encourage and support my local community, but I am very disappointed in the current governing body.