Unfortunately it is a lot like automobiles. Not only do we have people who are marginally capable (sometimes of coherent thought) cyclists, but we also have marginal drivers. It is not unique to bikes.

The problem though is the consequences of people who don't know how to handle a bike, or who are just plain clueless, are greater on a bike than a car. Whether in an accident or just plain driving around a car driver is less likely to be injured and is not likely to cause people to change their opinion of all car drivers by our actions. However, because we are a much smaller minority of the traffic mix each bicycle accident, particularly involving a child, gets a lot more media attention. Or when one cyclist (or more properly, person who just so happens to riding a bicycle) is weaving in the roadway against traffic, talking on the cell phone, carrying a bag of groceries causes inconvenience or some type of annoyance to a car driver, we ALL suffer the negative stereotype of "d--n bikes!"

I agree in the "live free or die" however we are in the minority on bikes and can be seriously hurt. A little common sense, common courtesy, and a little training of our kids (OK, how about just making people parent their kids) can go a long way to maintain our freedoms (you may remember some recent legislation trying to ban bikes from roadways when there is a "bike path" close by) and keep us (not just the completely clueless cyclists) from dying.