One of the most popular quotes associated with bicycles is attributed to H.G. Wells: “Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race.”

On Tuesday, a terrorist attempted to sink us into despair by choosing to drive a truck into dozens of innocent people enjoying the Hudson River Bikeway, the crown jewel of New York’s bicycling infrastructure, on a clear, crisp fall day. It was a most cowardly choice of target whose symbolism should not be ignored, if, like Wells, we are to overcome despair and move forward.