Originally Posted by
GodsBassist
Preference has nothing to do with it, if energy costs make powered transportation cost prohibitive.
I've also got to disagree about cycling being a footnote in the transportation world. In most of the US that's certainly so. But again, we have societies where not only gasoline, but real estate for roads and parking is much more rare and therefore expensive, you can see a tremendous increase in 'self powered' transportation.* America is urbanizing fairly quickly, and I suspect in 50 to 100 years, it just won't make sense for everybody to have these huge honkin' machines out on the road.
And just what percentage of trips are done by bicycle in these so-called "bicycle-friendly" cities (so-called because these cities are usually the first to ban cyclists from using certain roads)? If you can find me a substantial number* of cities in the developed world where cycling accounts for more than 50% of trips, or even the same percentage as automobile trips, then I might believe it. Until then, I'll happily accept that I'm part of the very special elite that chooses cycling as a transport option, and continue to enjoy all the benefits of only being 1%.
* Yes, I mean a substantial number. I'm sure someone here will find a link to a single city or suburb that is the exception, but until it's adopted on a large scale, it's a bit like setting one's watch by a stopped clock just because it's right twice a day.