Seeing that deploying airbags hit like a fist to the face and regularly break noses, maybe reframing airbags as airbombs would suffice as a deterrent.

Given that I don’t have any personal gain from proliferating biking as a means of personal transportation, I’d rather consider myself a bike preacher.

A decent bike needn’t be expensive. For as little as 300€, you can have a new bike that’ll do just fine for recreational use and simple commutes. Used bikes can usually be had really cheap, too, but for that you’d best know how to check the components and what to look for.

Race bikes, mountain bikes and pedelecs are a different thing, but those are either specialty sports equipment or luxury items.

Either way, (normal) bikes are easy and cheap to maintain, if used correctly.

Your thoughts are valid and I agree – in principle.

The proportionate punishment does, however, depend on the severity of the violation. In an academic context, there are few things as severe as blatant plagiarism. Being caught in not just cheating but brazenly copy-pasting other people’s work can imho be appropriately punished with expulsion, be it in the US or elsewhere.

On the flip side, all threat of consequences works as a deterrent only when there’s the expectation to be caught and punished.

By always catching but never handing out punishment to kids violating rules, you only teach them that consequences are inconsequential.