The antagonism towards cyclists certainly seems far more pronounced here in Australia, when compared to the other countries where I have ridden my push hog. Its such a shame. Why can't we all get along.
It comes down to common courtesy to your fellow road users. The uncourteous road users are a minority - but seem to represent a larger cross section here in Australia. How much rarer it is in Australia to see people acknowledging your good deed when you let them out of a side road or through a gap. Do you ever see hazard lights flashing to warn road users behind of a hazard up ahead. So if this "dog eat dog" attitude towards each other exists on the roads, as it seems to (perpetrated by the minority), how can cyclists expect to be treated any differently?
However, I would argue cyclists should be treated differently and cut some slack - because they are so vulnerable. Its a life and death matter. Unfortunately, their are too many road users too consumed by their self-importance - making their precious time more valuable than anybody else's.
I'm rambling now - you get my drift.
