Otherwise you’re aiming just at the small self-selected part of the population who will cycle anyway.

Spreading the appeal of cycling means changing the emotions of cycling. It can no longer be a “traffic jamming” battle against automobiles, but must be pleasant for all. Safe for all. Free of hassle.

If conditions on the streets scare away a large percentage of the population then you never can have a mass cycling culture. That’s where infrastructure comes in. Not any infrastructure – good infrastructure which makes everyone want to cycle, and is not just put in as a sop to the minority who are already cyclists.

What I sometimes point out to people about this place is that unlike in the UK where we were a bit unusual in cycling everywhere, we’re not unusual here. Every person on our street cycles for practical purposes from 87 year old neighbours on one side, younger grandparents on the other side, middle aged parents with teenagers, younger parents with babies, and of course teenagers and children on their own.

This applies equally to the next street along, and in fact every street in this city, and this country.

In countries where “everyone” drives, there are exclusions based on age and wealth. Cycling can be truly inclusive of the entire population.