Hi there, there's a couple ways I could answer your question.

If you mean the energy I'm putting into this article, yes, in the sense that it got far more response and pick up on Twitter and in the Streetsblog re-post than I was expecting. As of this response, my friend hasn't replied.

In my experience, it takes a lot to soften and change the minds of people who are actively hostile to others on bikes. If I were to guess, it's a me-first, might-makes-right, or authoritarian attitude ("just follow all the traffic rules") mixed with concern trolling.

That's not who I'm looking to influence. I'm looking for folks who haven't given the topic much thought. I want to help shift the cultural narrative to assert the rights of vulnerable road users, and make vehicular bullying, supremacy, and stochastic terrorism unacceptable.

I also put sustained, long-term effort into infrastructure advocacy. I've been into that for 5-6 years with a little break from burnout. So, I have adjusted expectations about how long that takes. I also put energy into working with advocates, engineers, and policy makers to increase their speed, capabilities, and capacity to deliver safe streets projects.

If you mean, is the energy I'm putting into this passionate, ranty article cathartic? Yes. It felt good.

One day I'll probably have a close enough call and move to a small town, too. Thanks for the note, be well.