Here's the deal. From: a country/city biker and former Big-City (Cambridge/Boston, MA) taxi driver.

Don't try to deny that bike riders play both sides.

1) They are motor vehicles when it suits them, pedestrians when it suits them, and neither, when it suits them.

2) They are NOT required to carry insurance, as motor vehicles must (in civilized States and Provinces)'

3) They are not tested for ability, eyesight, other disabilities, as are motorists.

4) They are not licensed, as are motorists.

5) Their equipment is not tested to required safety standards, as are motor vehicles including motorcycles.

6) They are not taxed annually, as are owners of motor vehicles (excise taxes are not universal. But I pay 'em).

7) I have seen bicyclists commit traffic infractions in front of cops in marked cop cars. The cops do nothing. Nada. Zip. Zero.

8) Bike and rider hit pedestrian. Words are exchanged, no papers, no ID, nothing else. Try that as a motorist.

I could go on, but it's getting thin from here out. My point? When bicyclists are responsible for all the same things that motorists are, I'll treat 'em with more respect. I'm not talking about you, Mr. or Ms. "I have dayglow orange on, my strobe is flashing, my flag is eight feet in the air, I wear a helmet" professional bike rider.

I'm talking about the yahoos that run reds, barely miss pedestrians at every crosswalk, ride the wrong way down one-ways (if you accidentally "door" one of these freaks, your insurance is still liable), etc, ad infinitum.

There are far more of these jerks than there are traffic-law-obeying, light-wearing, signal-device using etc. bike riders.

To sum up: When y'all start gettin' pulled over by the cops, and have a license you have to turn over when you are, I'll treat you like a motor vehicle.

Until then, you're all (with the exception(s) described above) mainly a fecking nuisance I'd just as soon not have to deal with. So, since you lose in any collision involving a motor vehicle, the onus is on you to stay the hell out of the way.

Let the downvoting begin.

EDIT: Sp.