I'll agree that we can be our own worst enemies at times.
As an example, our club does a ride every saturday where there a stoplight at a "T" intersection. We go through the top of the T, and invarilably, the light will change mid-peloton. But everyone "rolls" it. While the road has a bike lane and it's striped all they way through, I still don't like doing it and can't really stop with taking folks behind me down.
Part of is that we only want to obey the rules of the road only when it's convienent for us. Then wonder why motorist get mad I always try to obey all the rules. Yeah, it does get incovienent. I had to get of my bike a couple of time yesterday to punch a crosswalk button.
Trails - i think there's a place for them, but I think there the cyclist's "barrio". plus , you've the same mentatlity. In my city, they have a bike path and walking path side by side. Where are the walkers on? you guessed it.
I really don't an easy answer, either.