>>1919687>other than in the gentrified cores of expensive citiesThis also, is complete bullshit.
Arterial commuter routes to the fringes/suburbs of cities are very much a thing. Often they're extremely cheap as they can simply be alongside highways. All cities should have these in every direction and it is absolutely insane how much easier and more pleasant it is to do a 30-60 minute ride home from work when you can just get on a path and ride hard (or e-bike lazily), and not worry about anything else. Imo that is the absolute nexus of cycling infrastructure, much like highways, and not anything central city.
Utility cycling perfectly suits many small towns.
Likewise you can have touring routes in idyllic places and cycle touring through traffic can revitalize small towns. Those people all stop for coffee, unlike drivers.