I think that Soundoff is not necessarily the most representative sampling of public views, for the obvious reason.

I also think that Seattle-area motorists are much more accepting of cyclists than lots of other places. I've spent the last month in my hometown of Albany NY, and the attitudes here towards cyclists are really, REALLY scary----far less cycle-friendly than Seattle is.

I think we need to do lots of education with non-cyclists. I liked Quillfred's bumper sticker that said "Start seeing bicycles" because I think that really is what such education is all about. I wasn't nearly as aware before I started riding, either.

And I do see some local cyclists who do really appalling, arrogant, and law-breaking maneuvers, like the two roadies on W. Lake Sammamish Parkway who were too important to stop at a light, but instead rode around the stopped bikes and cars in the left turn lane, and turned left in front of all of them, against a red light. Not helpful.

So...I personally am in favor of pursuing the "a little less heat, a little more light" approach to all this.