[QUOTE=Paul Barnard;21948264]Your words:
"I also believe that we can raise the public’s perception of cyclists, so that they won’t automatically hate seeing someone hunched over their handlebars. We can do this by being specially considerate, obeying all traffic laws"
I often break the law to enhance my safety. If I won't break the law to enhance my safety in an effort to "raise the public's perception" that is the very definition of appeasement. [/QUOTE
Not at all. Not. At. All. In those cases, it's obviously more important to be safe. But being courteous and respectful when we can is not appeasement! It's simply treating the other person right. And when we do that, chances are enhanced that that driver might not react as angrily in their next encounter with a cyclist -- whether it's you, me, or someone else. I never said roll over and let drivers do whatever they want.