Well, Kfergos, I understand the issue. Your friend is really wrong, in attitude, etc., but like someone else said, there are as***** cyclists as well as drivers. I hate it when other cyclists do something that makes all of us look bad. This is a major issue around here. A few years ago, my son who was racing at the time was on a training ride in Groton with our exchange student who had recently arrived from Germany. They were stopped by the police and given a stern warning not to ride side by side. They thought it was really mean, but I had to take the policeman's side.
RM, I can't believe your friend would say that to her kids. Is she nuts??? When my husband started riding he regularly had things thrown at him, ususally out of pick up trucks, with people screaming "fag" at him. Cycling is so popular around here now, it never happens anymore.