I've been driving for 20 years - mostly in Asia and Australia and a few times in Europe and USA on vacation. I know it's a drop in the ocean compared to some of the more well-travelled here, but I can't recall a single problem with cyclists that I haven't seen with other morons who use the road.
My take on this is that sometimes people are just looking for someone, anyone, to hate, and it generally takes the form of other road users (including pedestrians). For my parents it is taxis who get the brunt of their hatred, due to their predilection for swerving across lanes to pick up a passenger and such, as well as people who cross somewhat busy side-roads while either staring at their mobiles or straight ahead.