I am currently embroiled in an epic attempt to get my mom to bike to work.
She lives about 5 kilometres from her work in the centre of Copenhagen, allegedly (one of) the world's most bike friendly cities. The trouble is, she has somehow got into her head that biking is a mortally dangerous bloodsport confined to the young, fit and ruthless.
I'm hoping this beautifully written commentary on the subject will soften her up a bit:
 
http://adrianshort.co.uk/2009/08/24/456/