On my recent visit to France I noticed the bicycle on many different adverts and brochures. It's no secret that the bicycle has become high profile in advertising over the past year or so, but there were many positive images. Like this advert for Promod, an online fashion shop.
 

Even on the cardboard sleeve that my room key came in at the hotel in Paris there was a happy cycling couple.
 

At Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport, an advert for HSBC bank featured Asian urban cyclists.
 

A brochure for the city of La Rochelle.

And from elsewhere, these adverts featuring the bicycle:
 

Advert for the clothing company Killah.
 

Tourism brochure for the Swedish province of Skåne [Scania].
 

Advert for Vodaphone in Prague.
 

Advert for The House of Fraser clothing store in London.

All this symbolism is, of course, good. Cementing the bicycle as a normal part of life and not merely reserved for 'enthusiasts'.

Are we approaching that all important tipping point in some regions? It seems so. Let's hope it is the case.

Message to brain after viewing them: Cycling is enjoyable, fun, social and acceptable.