I believe that what you're really asking is, "Why don't we see more people riding?"

After all how many of us love riding, but are unable to get out there for one reason or another. Maybe you think of it in terms of "Why did I have that period in my life where I didn't ride?"

I know for me it was a series of overwhelming life happenings that took every waking moment, and still wasn't enough time such as... Creating a business, planning a wedding, having children (usually overlapping). But now, with those events in the past I am very aware that the only reason I ride as much as I do, is because I have access to safe trails (I ride with the kids on the back).

So maybe a better question is, "Why don't we have more trails available to us, and how do we get our local government to take the initiative?"