I've never even applied for a learner's permit and see no point. For me (and most people that don't even realize it,) a car is a giant waste, especially in urban areas. Here are my favorite reasons to cycle (and promote cycling.)
Correlation with Overall Wealth.
Less Public Money Is Needed To Create a High Quality Transportation System.
Improved Personal Finances
Better Physical Health
Better Mental and Emotional Health
Fewer Overweight and Obese Citizens
More Free Time
Greater Mobility
Inclusion of Senior Citizens (and the youth, as well.)
More Equitable Living for Low Income Earners (read: students)
Increased Sense of Community
Individual Opportunities for Safer Travel
Less Congested Roads
Safer, Quieter Neighborhoods
More Resources for Public Use (because less money goes into giant highway expansions and the like)
Better Air Quality
Visually More Appealing Metropolitan Area
Cleaner Surface and Ground Water
Quieter City
Slowed Pace of Global Warming
More Sustainable Lifestyle
Readiness for Other Environmental Initiatives
Here's the longer list that I ripped these off of, it has articles that follow up on each reason, and it has more reasons than I have listed.
http://www.environment.ucf.edu/bikep...0to%20Bike.htm