Macy’s: Leave the Car at Home

 

J. Crew and W Hotels aren’t the only companies to promote cycling as of late. As part of its "Earth Week" campaign, Macy’s is running the above ad in local papers. Reads the copy:

Leave the car at home. Ride a bike or walk to work if you can. Discover your own route. Now that’s thinking on your feet.

Maybe it’s just us, but this seems half a step above greenwashing. With endorsements from household brands, be they in the form of corporations or celebrities, is cycling edging toward taking its place among light bulb changing and tree planting as a staple of mainstream environmentalism?

ALSO ON STREETSBLOG

Ad Nauseum: Thrive

By Damien Newton |
Finally, an advertisement that portrays cyclists as well-adjusted and happy human beings who love their chosen mode of transportation instead of people looking to save money on car insurance, people too poor to afford a car or insects.  This pleasant ad from health care giant Kaiser Permanente makes a clear statement that cycling is a […]

Streetfilms Praises Orange Line BRT and Bike Path

By Damien Newton |
While in town last month, Streetfilms took its second look at Los Angeles’ Orange Line as a model for BRT’s around the country.  In his summary of the above Streetfilm, Clarence Eckerson doesn’t hold back his praise for the Orange Line calling it "one of the best Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems in the U.S" […]
STREETSBLOG USA

Cleveland: Building Public Support With Pop-up Cycling Infrastructure

By Angie Schmitt |
Decisions about cycling infrastructure don’t really come down to money, or technical knowhow, or even the availability of street space. Ultimately, if you establish community consent and political will to make streets safe for cycling, the rest will follow. Here’s an interesting method to build the needed support: pop-up cycling infrastructure. This exercise in tactical […]