Originally posted by Pete Clark
I would like to mention that probably 99% of the drivers I deal with [...] are careful and courteous to me when I'm riding that strange two-wheeled thing.
Agreed, Pete. Most of the cars I see during my commute are the same ones I see every day, and most are sufficiently considerate, especially given they aren't cyclists. What I think many cyclists fail to appreciate is how inconsiderate motorists are in general (tail-gating, cutting other cars off, driving fast in slow lanes, or vice versa). It's so common, that even fellow motorists take it for granted as accepted practice. What if somebody jumped in front of you at the grocery store because the line moved and you didn't step forward fast enough to block them?
A few crazy drivers go a long way toward giving the whole bunch a bad rap.