Makes me so glad I live in the U.K, things are far from perfect in many areas for cyclists here but in general we get treated pretty well and the government both national and local is funding (or has been at least) initiatives to get more people cycling.

Stories from the U.S such as this one are often discussed on our cycling forums here to, we find some of the attitudes displayed by the individuals and organizations trying to enact these laws to be utterly bizarre.
I think cyclists here aren't suprised though that you have to overcome obstacles like this in a nation where the car and the oil industry is king and have been for a long time.