Originally Posted by Daily Commute
I think part of the problem is that two sets of cyclists do different things that annoy motorists, but motorists think it's the same people. Some cyclists prefer to ride like traffic--in the lane and stopping at red lights (HH's rolling stops aside). Others ride more like pedestrians--hugging the curb and treating traffic signals as advisory. Putting the two together, motorists say, "cyclists want to take the lane and break the rules."
Another problem is that motorist don't realize how often they break traffic rules. Car drivers often treat speed limits speed minimums (if that). They also frequently don't fully stop at stop signs or yield to pedestrians in cross walks.
The problem is that motorists that violate the law rationalize that it is OK for them at the moment... but if they see another motorist doing it, or a cyclist... well then there is hell to pay.
Look, we cyclists do the same thing... "no one is around, so I'll run this... " But if you did that and had a close call with another cyclist that you had failed to notice... then "they" would be the dickheads... right?
The problem is that many cyclists do this right in front of motorists... therefore we are all to blame.
The other factor that has not even been mentioned is that a cyclist can often stop and start again in less time than a motorist can even stop... mass, or lack of it, in this case, is what allows one to change momentum so quickly. This is not to say that a car cannot stop in less distance... but usually the cyclist is going slower and can regain that speed quicker.