The conflict over bike lanes and parking on 38th Street should serve as a warning to all other neighborhoods in the Twin Cities that could lose critical parking, because they will be overwhelmed by a fairly sophisticated and determined grass-roots network.

There was a well-coordinated effort by organizations such as the Sierra Club and the Minneapolis Bike Coalition to mobilize supporters through phone banks, social media and DFL ward conventions to create the impression of overwhelming support for bike lanes. We were just everyday people trying to earn a living and be a part of our community; we did not have the time, money, resources or key influence of those who favored the removal of all parking on 38th Street.

But 38th is a harbinger of conflicts in the future, because the Minneapolis Master Bike Plan looks more like an interstate highway plan, indifferent to neighborhoods' needs in favor of pushing everyone onto heavily trafficked streets and away from less-used streets. Confused? The problem is that narrow residential streets limit the design options, but well-organized and experienced lobby/advocacy groups want a bicycle autobahn without compromise.

If their objective were to extend the bike lane network, they should be more flexible in responding to local needs. Instead, they alternated between arguments as to why 38th was the only option — on one hand, safety was paramount, and on the other, nonsafety criteria were really the key driver.

The most bitter fact is that a supermajority would have supported a bike lane on any other street (all streets closer to schools and parks).

I was outraged by the things said in social media about my friends and neighbors — coordinated activity online against local business owners who give vibrancy and opportunity to our neighborhood, who were mocked and threatened with boycotts for defending their customers, staff and livelihood. While the economic interests of small businesses were obvious, left out was how opponents have actually made money as part of the bicycle economy. For example, the paid staff of the Minneapolis Bike Coalition and the Sierra Club.

We live here, work here, gather here, visit here and shop here, every day throughout the year, as young, old, able-bodied and differently abled. So that means we park here, too. We're Twin Cities neighborhoods — don't peddle your bike plan if it's nonnegotiable. You'll have to roll around us because you can't roll over us.

The reason I was so infuriated is that I am one of the truly dedicated cyclists of Minneapolis. I ride my bike 50 miles a week, never a week off, not for rain, snow or ice. 38th Street is not how I want neighborhoods to experience cycling or cycling advocacy. These self-righteous and shortsighted cycle activists are setting the stage for a backlash in the future. They need to tap their breaks … gently.

David Wilson lives in Minneapolis.