It certainly is helpful for local politicians to support bike/ped facility development. Indianapolis has not known for alternative transportation options, but that is changing as new multi-user trails open, and more formal bike lanes are incorporated in certain areas of town. There are issues with the bike lanes, and I wouldn't ride them at my current skill level, but progress is being made!

Our current mayor was at the ribbon cutting of a new, albeit short, mountain biking trail last year, and this spring there is going to be something called the "Mayor's Bike Ride" to celebrate the opening of another trail. These things certainly do bring things to public notice, and that is a good thing.

Now if they could get the message across to everyone that cyclists do not HAVE to use the sidewalks.... and to the cyclists that no, you shouldn't ride opposite traffic flow... these would be even better things.