As a cyclist AND driver for over 32 years I have seen a change in traffic. People are more hostile and more selfish. More distractions in the car, cars have been made safer but the drivers have not. My general observation is that US drivers are sloppy, they don't hold the lane, roll stop signs and completely blow red lights. When stopped and confronted by LEO's the first rule is to deny everything, then get a lawyer and dump the ticket. There is also a sizable number that have bought into the attitude that laws are for "other people". Several years ago I was an associate adviser for an Law Enforcement Explorer Post and we got to go on ride alongs. The excuses were pathetic. Also I suspect there is more tolerance for some things like speeding 10mph over when it used to be less.

I am a firm believer that separate facilities are a requirement, especially on higher speed arterials. If you think motorists have issues with cyclists now, wait until the numbers increase. We also need better education of both cyclists and motorists. I see numerous wrong way riders on a daily basis, some of them are wearing safety vests and even the occasional helmet, but are riding the wrong way on a 4 lane 50+mph roadway.

Aaron