If we\’re to pick our battles, bicycle advocacy is a wonderful thing to choose. We cyclists need all the help we can get, after all.

Our advocates work to raise awareness of cycling: to get more folks riding; to increase motorists\’ awareness of people riding bicycles; and to improve infrastructure so that there are more marked bicycle lanes on our roads.

Naturally it\’s not always smooth sailing. I mean, it\’s not always an effortless ride with a good tailwind. There\’s still, apparently, a very long way to go.

We hear too many reports of motorists behaving aggressively towards cyclists. Some drivers think that cyclists don\’t belong on the roads; and that roads are meant for cars only. Actually, I\’ve read that roads were first paved for cyclists! Thus it is cyclists who have \”paved the way\”.

Then there\’s distracted driving, which has resulted in too many cyclists getting injured or killed. That certainly needs to be addressed; and I\’d also campaign against distracted cycling. Yes, you read that right; distracted cycling! I\’ve seen people riding along one-handed while texting with the other hand! Hang up and ride, people! You\’re inviting disaster!

I myself don\’t belong to an advocacy group, and I\’m sure I don\’t appreciate their efforts as much as I should. Let\’s give them all a big thumbs up!

ADDENDUM, 01/10/21 With all the COVID-19 mess, I want to avoid groups if at all possible; but we can still pick our battles.