Often it feels unsafe to bike on roadways, so people just avoid doing so. And most bike lanes on roadways have trash in them and are basically a glorified shoulder.
Elon knows about his cult following. He paid multiple PR firms to achieve the public image he wields against his detractors. His incendiary statements preclude plenty of defamation suits.
He is apathetic to the harm he causes, pretending otherwise risks endorsing his behavior. He didn’t accidentally do the Nazi salute, and this “call-out” was similarly malicious.