I was reading an article from bicycling.about.com recently and I came accross a great quote from Paul Vinyard of the St. Louis Bike Federation that explains why we do what we do:
Personally, in every situation where I was called upon to advocate for bicycling, I kept in mind the image of a smart, quick 12-year-old girl who takes a piano lesson two miles from her house. It was my fervent desire to see that she could independently don a backpack carrying her music books, hop on her bike, and take herself to that lesson using her own intelligence and strength, and utilizing our well-designed, well-executed transportation network.
Written by Chris Belsole
Albany Bicycle Coalition 