Is This the First U.S. Car Ad to Feature a Protected Bike Lane?

Since I’ve been doing lots of research, analysis and interviews for a future Streetfilm looking at car commercials, this Lexus ES ad, in heavy rotation on football Sundays, caught my eye. It just might be a first (at least in the United States): a major car company showcasing a car on a complete street!

Yes, “Infinite Glances” is your typically slick, highly-manipulated production, but it’s kind of exciting to see the protected bike lane representin’ on the right hand side of the screen. From the look of the city, I knew it was likely Dunsmuir Street, which does indeed have a wonderful protected bike facility.

However, delve a little deeper into the photoshopping and effects and you’ll find that the advertising world just can’t leave well enough alone.