The story of cycling and the attitude of the driving public at large. what has come to be affectionately termed cagers, for individuals who are stuck in a car aka cage. As a cycle commuter I have the opportunity to explore how drivers can be in close vicinity and I must say thus far most individuals are pretty good about it. That is as long as you travel just as a vehicle would. In part because that way you are more predictable, and you move with the flow of traffic. It is not to say every person who rides a bike takes the time to change the perspective from being a pedestrian on wheels to a vehicle traveling on public roads.
There is a couple different categories on a person who rides a bike, it is in these categories, that the attitude of the drivers also change. First let us explore the cyclist who travels as a vehicle, uses hand signals and goes with the flow of traffic. The majority of drivers at least in my experience are quite appreciative of that manner of cycle commuting. It is not to say every driver is an angel and wholly appreciative of a person riding a bike as a vehicle, just in my experience a majority of those in cars who come upon a bicyclist in the lane, stopping at lights, and using hand signals offer the same respect to this type of cyclist as they would another car on the road. Certainly a slower vehicle but still considered a vehicle because they are acting like a vehicle. It would be nice to say every driver I come upon in my commutes is great and wonderful though there are always the others. The ones who are stressed out, thinking they own the lane, and still perceive as a person on a bike as a pedestrian on wheels. It is these specific individuals that tend to honk the horn, or pass to close to the bicyclist in this supposed rush to the next red light. It makes little sense surely, but to counter that you just follow the common advice of driving defensively.
The second category, that I am sorry to say I see to often, is the recreational bicyclist, or the individual who perceives the false notion that they are just on a toy, a pedestrian on wheels. IT is these individuals that may be part of the reason that many a driver considers a person on a bicyclist as a pedestrian on wheels. In the sense that as a pedestrian you ride on the sidewalk, against traffic, ride across the street without any motion to let the drivers know what you are doing. The same individuals who tend to jump off curbs into traffic going against it.
These individuals could also be doing only what they understand because of a lack of proper cycling education. Even if within the Department of Motor Vehicles handbook, there is a section dedicated to cycling etiquette as to using hand signals, traveling with traffic and so on. The challenge seems to be, that there is to much promotion of getting a vehicle and driving on the roads. Even within the written test for the license there is few if any questions in regard to the section on bicycles. The point being there is little or no cycling education offered, and as a result people just ride it like a toy, like a pedestrian even if it puts them at risk and sets the precedent for drivers of motor vehicles to interpret the bicyclist incorrectly. The same lack of education can also be a part of that particular circumstance.
The solution is quite simple, to offer education to the public at large, to have each individual who is cycle commuting to help make the public aware. Additionally, offering cycling education at a low or reduced price or just as a community service to the public and the bicycle culture can also provide additional understanding and awareness of what is best for the cyclist and the safety of all those considered.
The views certainly vary from one state to the other, just my own experience has been a good one, not without it's down times, with the increase in gas prices more individuals are seeing it as quite a viable option. To ride will save you money, and extend your life. Society today, can only benefit from more individuals riding a bike. Your wallet will thank you and the environment would be improved for the present and the future. There will still be people who do not hold the similar views but as more people ride the views will change, as long as the techniques used in riding, clarify that a bicycle is a vehicle, not just a toy. Certainly not a pedestrian on wheels, it will take a person at a time becoming aware and exercising the right to be treated as a vehicle on the roads throughout the land. We cannot change everyone but one person can make a difference for many by providing the example that will eventually be followed. So get educated, implement that education and make a difference to improve the view on the bicycle as the vehicle it has always been.