As everyone seems to be saying, there are indeed good and bad drivers. While I don't have much experience cycling in big cities, I spend most of my time on country lanes. Nonetheless, I do ride in towns a lot and the amount of people that seem hell bent on passing you just because you're on two wheels is astounding, regardless of how well you're cycling or your speed. Buses in my opinion are also a major issue. I've been pulled out on and almost squashed into hedges more times than I can possibly count, (I always ride with lights and a white t shirt is my least visible top that I will wear on the bike.)

I'm also just starting to learn to drive (I'm seventeen) and my driving instructor notices how observant I am and how much of the road I see, even though I'm new to it. In my opinion all drivers should be make to cycle for a while before starting to drive as the amount of extra hazards (in chief other people) because it just makes you so much more aware of what's happening and, more importantly, what COULD happen around you.

Taxing and insuring would stop many people from cycling - almost as if you're trying to stop people from taking their families out on a bike ride, although like many people here I agree that jumping lights etc should be fine-able.