In the USA cycling initiatives tend to occur mainly when policymakers from the US have visited the Netherlands or Denmark and been inspired to create small havens of bicycle policy. Portland (Oregon) is one such example. Portland is considered to be the ultimate bicycle town in the US, where authorities have for years been very much engaged in construction of a consistent bicycle network and bicycle promotion, but also in actively informing (new) residents of the advantages of cycling. Yet the percentage of bicycle use is a mere 6% there, compared to 27% in the Netherlands.
The Americans wonder how to give cycling a more prominent role.
It is clear that the approach advocated by the AASHTO guidelines - training cyclists to hold their own in between motorists - is counterproductive. Like the Dutch, Americans too will prefer feel-good arguments like safety, fun, relaxation and flexibility.
In addition it is important that children start cycling when young. If that is what you want, you will have to invest radically. Considering the current jungle for young traffic participants only very few youngsters will take to cycling, provided their parents do not expressly forbid them to.
This leads to a system of separate bicycle facilities on busy roads. In addition lots more needs to be done in the field of bicycle-friendly urban design. With much more traffic calming, but also the creation of quiet neighbourhoods and/or home zones.