You're right of course, but in the last few weeks, I have run into "nice guys"
where I work who are unreasonably PO'd at bikers, because they have been listening to angry rantings against bicyclists... These are people I have worked with for years, they mind their manners, are good to their wives and children... but their perception has changed, that we are the ENEMY, and foolish for even riding our bikes on the streets around here.
I am concerned that as perceptions change, folks that were never jerks before will be transformed into jerks... and endanger us some more.
I gave my DH a marine corps jersey for St V day; he plans to wear it on solo bike rides for "protection"