When touring Ireland, Wales and Scotland a few years ago the thing that was most obvious was the inclusion of bicycles as a normal part of everyday life. There was a greater respect for it as a mode of transportation as opposed to a toy or a seldom used form of recreation.

My tour was self-guided and self supported. Most of the local populace I encountered held my venture in high regard and referred to me as a tourer rather than a tourist. There's a completely different mentality in Europe. One isn't considered a flake or a loser if one decides to live cycle-centric.

It's getting better over here, but there's way more than just a long way to go. There's got to be an overhaul of the way we see how the bicycle fits into the pantheon of our existence. It's got to become the first option after walking.