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https://bikebiz.com/a-bleak-picture-why-childrens-bike-sales-have-dropped-so-dramatically/
And in Germany, ebike sales are many times that of the UK.
Historically our major roads are a threat to life with many a route a no go area. Right wing hostility to traffic calming is certainly to blame. Likewise with the continued right wing influenced hostility to cyclists.
I don't discount attitudes as part of the problem, but far right countries historically have a pretty reasonable record on cycling acceptance. Not that i am supporting RW regimes, you understand... Instead, i believe that people are in part seeing cyclists as socially and/or financially beneath them and therefore lesser beings. If you're poor in Britain, you ARE the enemy.... It was Thatcher's government, Tebbit to be exact who linked dole dossers and cyclists in the "on your bike" BS... To further support this, there are many instances in the past of video clips being banded around of various road rage incidents that lead drivers to shout down at cyclists, often referring to their inability to afford a car and pointing out that they pay "road tax" and the cyclists should always fold to the motorists wills and desires. In addition, i have witnessed drivers throwing rubbish at cyclists out of the window, spitting and on the other forum i believe someone had fast food thrown all over them. Why would you do this? The media stoke the fires, but the likes of the DM are just playing to peoples built in prejudices to sell clicks and papers. I reckon this is deeply ingrained into society and will take many generations to breed out...