I don't usually take offense to such arguments about cost of equipment among sports. When it comes down to it some a lot of people have tunnel vision in America about bicycles being anything but a "fun" activity rather then a mode of transportation. Its also a trickle down effect that starts from the top say like the road division that starts with roads designed with a 3 or more foot median on all roads. Signage, commercials, promotion from local business. If these don't happen mentalities don't change no matter how many of us riders are out there. But I do find the more I ride and the more I show people how healthy you can be with as little as a hundred miles a week riding the more they start to listen.....