I think that in Europe riding a bike is something that is done for a good health or exercise. In the US riding a bike can be as much of a statement as driving Hummer H1. In most places in the US there just isn't infrastructure to ride bikes and they are as expensive as used cars. Yep, you make the whole lot of a statement to me if you ride $5k bike in a nice neighborhood on your daily commute in the US. I just know who you vote for when I see you on a bike in nice suite going to work in DC or NYC.

I remember how I was driving to work in the DC instead of taking metro. I was labeled Republican in a second.