I'm an ex-pat American currently living in Denmark (+5 years). Before that I lived in Germany (2000-2007). I tour yearly by recumbent trike or velomobile across Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, and bits of Belgium and France. Last year I rode from Denmark to Cornwall, UK (but only got as far as Hastings before I had to take the train the rest of the way because the endless hills killed my knees).
My experience showed me that the UK still suffers from a poor (and sometimes missing altogether) cycling infrastructure, compared to the other countries I've toured in. Mainland Europe is, in general, leaps and bounds above the rest of the world in terms of cycling infrastructure, but that is slowly changing.
Regarding the posted article, I think that if we (cyclists, or HPV pilots/riders) are going to share the road with motor vehicles, we should adhere to the same rules and consequences - tailored appropriately where needed.