Yup. I cycle and drive an SUV. I'm considerate of cyclists when in my vehicle and act considerate as a cyclist. Unfortunately, some cyclists give all of us a bad name when they don't obey the same traffic laws every other vehicle is required to. I think a lot of our issues and troubles are brought on by us. When I see a cyclist blowing stop signs, red lights, or otherwise acting like idiots in traffic I wish I could cite them. The frustrated drivers quoted in that article have valid complaints IMO.
It would be interesting to see how many times the average cyclist breaks the law as opposed to the average driver. I bet drivers would come out way, way ahead. The cyclist blows a few stop signs along his/her route, and may occasionally run a light. The average driver is over the speed limit as often as possible, talking on a cell phone, and even blowing a few stop signs here and there. The difference is that when a driver sees a cyclist blowing a stop sign, there's a feeling of inequity - "why is that guy running the stop sign when I have to stop?". But the cyclist can't see the vast majority of traffic violations committed by drivers, and there isn't a similar feeling of inequity, because the average cyclist can't break the speed limit.
Cyclists are expected to be perfect angels on road; drivers can break the law with impunity, and few people care, unless it's running a red light or DUI.
A cyclist breaking the law,9 times out of 10, or maybe 99 times out of 100, is endangering him/herself. They may endanger other pedestrians, but certainly not drivers.
Drivers breaking the law endanger other driver, cyclists, and pedestrians.
Don't get me wrong - I drive and ride my bike, but I find this whole argument placing cyclists and drivers on the same plane a bit ridiculous and on drivers' parts, sanctimonious.
As for blowing stop signs, I admit I do it regularly. Why? Because an intersection is far less safe than a road, and the quicker I get out of it the better. I also blow some lights. Why? Because some lights come just before an exit to the freeway, and the only way to get out of the way of cars trying to get onto the freeway is to blow the light and get into the lane just to the left.
Idaho seems to be the only state that has recognized that though cars and bicycles are vehicles, they do not have the same dynamics.