A decade ago it made sense to draw a bold line in the advocacy world between people who espouse separate cycling infrastructure and those who think cyclists should take the lane and stop at red lights. But these days virtually all advocates work hard for separate cycle infrastructure/laws, regardless of their inherent safety benefits/drawbacks, because without question they accomplish the most important safety effect in the world: draw more cyclists to the road. At the same time, advocates accept that the majority of roads do not have cycling facilities and the most sensible way to negotiate these roads is to act as a vehicle whenever possible.

Granted, this describes the organized advocacy world. When it comes down to individuals, philosophies abound. In large part cycling behavior betrays the newness of mainstream transportation cycling in the US -- it's at once timid about taking the lane and inconveniencing automobiles and bold when perceived cycling-oriented opportunities (running red lights) present themselves.