wrk101 and Sailorman13 are both correct, IMO.

Few Europeans had cars until the early 1960's. Even by the early 1970's there were comparatively few privately operated cars there. Motorscooters and larger motorcycles were fairly common. Bikes were used mainly for very short rides - and still are when compared to the miles and speed of US cyclists. Europeans are very Bike Aware in their cities. In the last two decade, that has changed for the worse, though. However, the governments have changed to meet that scenario by funding inovative ways to accomodate cyclists as commuters/shoppers - usually by separating bikes from cars via bikeways.

US infrastructure, while the most developed in the world, is still built around the fact that our median distances are too far for practical bike use. Those that consistantly use bikes to get to work tend to be a bit eccentric to the mainstream. Not here on BF, of course, but how many can attest to the strange behavior and comments from our co-workers - not to mention the almost spastic reactions form drivers sometimes.

We are not a cycling nation. Never will be, no matter what the city councils mandate. The more they push the bike issues in our cities, the more rage will be directed at us by cagers with an attitude.

I am so sorry for the family of that rider. What a terrible waste of humanity.