Originally posted by LittleBigMan
I believe, in my gut, that everyone who has ridden a bike loves it.
Unaccountably, this doesn't in fact appear to be the case. There are, believe it or not, people that don't like cycling. I think we'll just have to accept that this is the case, and rather than presenting cycling as the only alternative to the car, to help them consider other options: Public transport, walking, electric bicycles, motorcycles or even a smaller, more efficient car. It all counts.
On the other hand, I do hear 'I'd like to cycle to work, but...' a lot. All you can do then is to answer the 'buts' as best you can. Most hurdles to cycling people have in their minds are usually easily surmountable. It just requires a modicum of effort - and that's usually the problem. Most of the 'buts' usually are just a justification for 'I really can't be bothered making the effort.'
You can't do anything but wait for the opportunity to present itself. Answering a question is far more likely to yeild a change in behaviour than 'preaching' to an unwilling audience.