Like many, I find this thread disturbing--whatever happened to yield to lesser mode of a traffic? Drivers Ed 101: car yields to bike yields to pedestrian yields to ducks. We're, at best, 1/10th of the weight of the cars and trucks. We don't stand a chance if they don't give us one. I'm saddened that people think we're targets and saddened more that other people are swayed by the angry people.

But, more so given the timing of this thread. Other threads here at TE in the last week have been on reducing ecological footprint. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Seattle area is one where the weather would easily permit nearly year round commuting. Thus, to hear that the drivers aren't happy with cyclists makes my green heart turn red.

And it doesn't have to be that way. In the last week, the pro race on Mallorca just took place (more synchronicity). I rode on Mallorca. The roads are narrow and are often twisty, turnies with blind corners. Yet a bicycle doesn't need to fear (caution, yes, but fear, no). The drivers are courteous. Beeps of are of "hey, I'm here and passing you" not 'get off the road". The cars are looking for you just like they are looking for other cars. Sure, bicycle tourism fills their winter, but many of those cars are also tourists. We can co-exist. It is sad that some think we cannot.

But, I will sieze my right to be on that road. And I will continue to yield to the slower mode of transportation. It is just common courtesy.