Originally Posted by
TRaffic Jammer
Ride like you belong there, and you will be treated thus. Ride like you're asking permission and be eaten alive.
This is the best answer I've seen yet! Yes, from my commuting experience so far it seems that drivers can tell an experienced and confident cyclist and react differently. It just never occurred to me entirely until TRaffic Jammer's comment. If I ride fast, take the lane, signal my turns, I never gent honked on and cars give me space. If I squeeze to the right I get honked at and violated several times on each commute.