Bikes are a longstanding love of mine.  When I last worked in an office that wasn't part of my own house, I became an enthusiast for cycling to work, even when it involved changing into office wear in the building's disabled loo, not being able to have a shower, and taking an elderly bike up to the fourth floor.  I started writing about biking to work, the obstacles and the incentives.  Now that my morning commute involves ambling upstairs from my kitchen with my fifth cup of tea, I have no need to cycle to work, so I find myself biking somewhere for lunch, or trying to do my grocery shopping by bike.  And after questioning the usefulness (and beauty) of infographics in data visualisation in last week's post, I thought it was only right to show the attractive image below.

Well, I think it is important in this context to consider the audience for this image.  This is the kind of picture that could be printed out and posted up on a noticeboard at work; the bright colours and cartoon-y images draw attention and could start the discussion about transport between workplace and the home.  It acts as a tool for advocacy, showing that there is the possibility of reducing the reliance on cars and increasing bike travel, whilst asking us to consider the need for more facilities (secure bike parking, bike lanes, showers or just increased consideration from drivers) and how that might be achieved.  And it is inclusive, by showing cycling as a real alternative (particularly given the financial costs of running a car), rather than simply as a leisure activity, or as something only done by people in tight lycra.

So, this isn't really an infographic.  It's more than that.  It's an illustrated thought-provoker. So what do you think?