The list of complaints in this thread will be long, inflammatory, and stereotypical. But anyone that has ridden regularly can assure you, cyclists could make an equally inflammatory thread complaining about the rudeness, poor driving, and bad attitudes of drivers. Most of my riding is separate from traffic. I am fortunate to have a river trail that goes from the foothills to the beach within a mile of my house. But even riding that mile I have had a bus run me into the curb, trying to stop while I was still alongside him. He looked panicked when I slammed my fist on his window. I have had people zoom past me, and then make abrupt right turns (from an improper roadway position) causing me to skid to avoid them. And bike tires are nearly as expensive as car tires. I have had people pass me in close proximity, clearly trying make a point, even though the lane is about 20 feet wide. There is plenty of bad behavior to go around, whether it is cyclists, or drivers, and a little more respect from both would make it a lot easier on all of us. Can’t we all just get along?
Not as long as pedalbikists do stupid crap like this and then complain about getting mowed down by people that have the legal right of way. Then also moan about being denied equal rights to the road while doing things that would get my motorcycle license suspended and my motorcycle impounded.
Cases in point:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oVaWQ09nRg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ws6wS0tDlIA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuQByrRpbh8
Bicyclists should be required to be licensed, their vehicles should be required to be inspected and legible tags to be displayed and the bicyclist themselves should be required to carry insurance - JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER ROAD USER OPERATING A VEHICLE.