As several people have mentioned, drivers who hate and antagonize cyclists don't represent the majority or the norm. They're just the ones that make themselves distinguishable, that we remember, that scare the hell out of us, and threaten our lives. They are like any bad apples in a group, they tarnish the rest.

Now, let me add my own, new, bias. White males in their early to mid-twenties seem to cause the most intentional drama (most of the pranks, intentional buzzing, and having stuff thrown at me has come from this group). Teenage through early twenty year-old, white female drivers are the most uncertain and confused drivers that I encounter on rides. Teenage to early twenty year old males are the most envious and respectful drivers that I come across (they like the idea of sport, have the best reaction time behind the wheel, and I seem to get more inquisitive and supportive stares from this demo..I don't know what happens once they cross into the mid-twenties, but something snaps and they become mischief-minded, pissed-off, attention seekers).

Older drivers are super safe and slow, but are too law abiding and uncertain about their driving skill to do simple things like cross the double yellow line and leave me a little extra space when they pass. Then there are the drivers of each demographic that seem to have no idea whatsoever that when they pass within two feet of me going 50 plus MPH, it is traumatizing.

The scariest drivers that I encounter when I ride tend to be women with young kids in the car, or on their way to pick up the kids from daycare. They're more likely to be in a rush, distracted, and oblivious, IMHO. I also find minority drivers of all ethnicities to be among the drivers most willing to share the road. I don't mean to offend anyone, but they just don't seem to have the sense of entitlement that non-minorities have, and the last thing that they seem to want is to be involved in any incident that is going to bring the police around. That said a minority woman on her way to daycare is no different than her non-minority counterpart.

Honorable mention should go out to the blue collar, pickup driving type. They may not like cyclists, they frown at me more often than they smile, but they have good impulse control, respect others, and generally just want to do what they have to do to keep getting by with minimal drama. Now, sometimes this is offset by the fact that the engines and tires on their trucks scare the S- - - out of me as I hear them approach, and tap the accelerator to get around me. Despite that they cause unintentional puckering, they are cool. Their trucks just have big engines and they like tires that are on the knobby side. So accelerating to pass me cleanly by swinging wide and giving me some extra space just sounds like impending doom. However, one word of caution with this population. Don't start any trouble with them or you're destined for a bad experience. Forgiveness is not their strong suit, and they are the most inclined to go from calm to enraged in a New York minute. It must be the economy and the fact that their jobs are being shipped overseas. This group optimizes the phrase, "don't start any s---, won't have any s---." Or is it, "go ahead, make my day?"

Of course, this is meant to be a somewhat light-hearted generalization, but it is also my reality. I hope I did not offend anyone, and if so, I hope you are not on your way to pick up the kids from daycare.