Is cycle sport encouraging uptake of cycling?

most people are disgusted by the idea of having to move around under the own steam come all weathers and find the notion of cycling childish and embarassing.

Tosh. The number of cyclists out there disagrees with you.

Asking someone if they want to go for a ride does not equate to forcing them to commute or smash themselves on turbos through the depths of winter. It could be a gentle canal ride to a pub.