Public Speaking Touchstone 4: Persuasive Speech Outline

A. Introduction

I. Attention Getter (Hook): Picture a morning commute where families ride bikes through

clean and quiet streets, bypassing the snarls of car traffic, all while enjoying the fresh air.

This vision is not just a dream; it’s a reality in cities that have embraced bike-friendly

infrastructure.

II. Topic: How bike-friendly infrastructure can transform cities by addressing environmental

challenges, promoting economic benefits, and improving public health.

III. Thesis Statement: Local governments must prioritize investments in bike-friendly

infrastructure because it leads to cleaner environments, stronger economies, and healthier

communities.

IV. Overview of Main Points:

a) Bike-friendly infrastructure reduces environmental harm by cutting emissions and easing

congestion.

b) Investing in cycling promotes economic growth for cities and saves money for

individuals.

c) Cycling fosters public health improvements and enhances safety on the roads.

Transition Statement:

Let’s begin by discussing how cycling infrastructure benefits the environment.

B. Main Point 1: Environmental Benefits of Bike-Friendly Infrastructure

I. Motor vehicles are the leading contributors to urban air pollution and greenhouse gas

emissions. Shifting even a fraction of commuters to bikes significantly reduces harmful

emissions.
 o For example, replacing short car trips (under 5 miles) with bike rides can cut

emissions by over 50% in cities.

II. Cities with strong cycling infrastructure experience less air pollution and lower urban

temperatures due to reduced traffic congestion.

o Traffic jams waste fuel and create heat zones. Bike-friendly cities mitigate this

issue by reducing reliance on cars.

III. Cycling contributes to better land use by reducing the need for large parking lots and

expansive highways, preserving green spaces in urban areas.

Use of Appeals:

 Ethos: Leverage reports from urban planning departments showing lower pollution levels

in bike-friendly cities.

 Pathos: Appeal to the audience’s desire for clean air and a greener future for their

children.

 Logos: Provide specific data comparing emissions from cars versus bikes and highlight

reductions achieved in leading bike-friendly cities.

Transition Statement:

Now that we’ve seen the environmental benefits, let’s explore how bike-friendly infrastructure

impacts the economy.

C. Main Point 2: Economic Benefits for Cities and Residents

I. Building and maintaining bike lanes is far more cost-effective than road infrastructure for

cars.
 o For instance, a mile of bike lane costs $50,000 to construct, compared to $2

million for a mile of urban road. Maintenance costs for bike lanes are also

significantly lower.

II. Local businesses near bike lanes report higher foot traffic and revenue as cyclists are

more likely to stop and shop compared to car drivers.

o A major study showed a 20% increase in sales for businesses located near bike

lanes in Portland, Oregon.

III. Individual cost savings are substantial when switching from cars to bikes.

o Owning a car costs an average of $10,000 annually, factoring in insurance, fuel,

maintenance, and parking fees. In contrast, maintaining a bike costs less than

$300 per year. These savings can help families struggling with rising living

expenses.

IV. Long-term savings extend to municipalities. With reduced wear and tear on roads and

lower healthcare costs due to healthier populations, governments save millions annually.

Use of Appeals:

 Ethos: Refer to economic analyses by transportation and budget experts.

 Pathos: Highlight how lower commuting costs alleviate financial strain for families.

 Logos: Use comparative figures to show the cost-efficiency of bikes over cars for both

cities and individuals.

Transition Statement:

Having examined the financial benefits, let’s now turn to the profound impact of bike

infrastructure on public health.

D. Main Point 3: Public Health Improvements and Safety

 1. Regular cycling is a proven way to improve cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of

obesity.

o Studies show that adults who bike regularly are 50% less likely to develop heart

disease or diabetes.

2. Cycling improves mental health by reducing instances of stress and anxiety. It involves

the release of endorphins while biking; thus, individuals usually feel great in terms of

their sense of accomplishment and relaxation during biking.

o Envision starting one's day with a refreshing bicycle commute-a commute that

frees the mind and revitalizes the body, instead of a stressful sitting situation in

bumper-to-bumper traffic.

3. A bike-friendly city reduces the rate of traffic accidents, creating much safer streets for

cyclists, pedestrians, and even car drivers.

o Dedicated bike lanes separate cyclists from vehicles, decreasing collisions and

fatalities significantly.

4. Healthier populations account for lower health care costs both to individuals and their

governments. Active transportation reduces the prevalence of chronic diseases, which

then cuts health care spending drastically.

Use of Appeals:

 Ethos: Cite reports from public health organizations on the benefits of active

transportation.

 Pathos: Share an emotional story about a community transformed by cycling culture,

where families thrive on active living.

  Logos: Include data on healthcare savings and reductions in traffic injuries in bike-

friendly cities.

Transition Statement:

While the benefits are clear, some people still raise objections. Let’s address these concerns

directly.

E. Main Point 4: Addressing Common Objections

1. Objection: “Bike lanes take up too much space and worsen traffic.”

o Response: Dedicated bicycle lanes reduce overall congestion by encouraging

people to bike, not drive, thus putting fewer cars on the road. Actually, studies

have proven that in cities like Copenhagen, adding bike lanes improves, rather

than worsens, the flow of traffic.

2. Objection: “Biking isn’t practical in bad weather or for long commutes.”

o Response: E-bikes and bike-transit integration are perfect solutions. E-bikes

could provide a greater range of travel and make uphill or long-distance travel so

much easier. Transit systems with bicycle racks allow hybrid commutes in the

first place.

3. Objection: “Bike infrastructure is expensive and unnecessary.”

o Response: While the initial investments may be expensive, the long-term savings

it accrues towards road maintenance, health cost, and reduced congestion far

outpaces the initial costs.

4. Objection: “Not enough people will use bike lanes to justify the investment.”
 o Response: Evidence from cities friendly to biking shows that nearly all ages use

bikes much more when proper infrastructure is developed. When people feel safe

and supported, they have a much greater tendency to use bikes.

Use of Appeals:

 Logos: Use case studies from cities like Amsterdam and Seattle to counter objections

with hard evidence.

 Pathos: Emphasize the inclusivity and accessibility of bike infrastructure for all age

groups and income levels.

 Ethos: Reference experts in urban design and transportation planning who support these

solutions.

Transition Statement:

Now that we’ve addressed these concerns, let’s conclude by summarizing the key takeaways and

the importance of action.

F. Conclusion

I. Summary of Main Points: Bike-related infrastructure would lead to cleaner

environment with minimal emission and better utilization of land in urban areas.

1. It provides major economic benefit to the cities, local businesses, and citizens.

2. Cycling improves public health outcomes and also contributes to a safer road

environment.

3. Such objections can be surmounted with pragmatic solutions like e-bikes and

hybrid transit options.

II. Repeat Thesis Statement: Prioritizing bike-friendly infrastructure is essential for local

governments to build sustainable, economically vibrant, and healthy cities.

III. Closing Statement: Imagine a future where every city street is a shared space for bikers,

pedestrians, and drivers, where families feel safe riding together, and where the air we

breathe is clean and refreshing. This future is within reach—if we advocate for bike-

friendly infrastructure today. Let’s take the first step toward a healthier, greener world.

References

1. American Urban Planning Association. (2023). Economic impacts of active

transportation.

2. World Health Organization. (2022). Health outcomes of active commuting.

3. National Cycling Association. (2023). Emissions reductions through cycling.

4. Municipal Transportation Data Reports. (2023). Urban mobility and cycling

infrastructure statistics.