Retrofitting attitudes about bike riders

For all of the energy put into advocating for protected bike lanes, an overlooked topic is winning the hearts and minds of non-riders. Stick your head up as a rider? Here comes a metaphorical rotten tomato, chucked at you by car drivers who perceive themselves as afflicted rule-followers. Yet the myth of the “scofflaw cyclist” persists, even though drivers break the law at higher rates, and they’re far more deadly.

The narrative needs to change. When there’s protected space for bicycles, more riders observe traffic rules. And even car drivers feel safer when there’s protected bike infrastructure. Bike infrastructure benefits everyone, especially drivers.