i don't care who takes credit for any of the stuff that is making cycling better in this city than it used to be . the important thing is that it is happening and will make cycling better for the future .
the fact is , with vancouvers' topography and climate , more people should be riding their bikes . as more and more people start riding , their presence will be accepted by motorists , because more of them might be at least part time riders .
as to the OP , i had a pretty bad interaction with a motorist way back . i ended up in the hospital with a fractured skull after being punched off my bike at about 55 kph . i accept my part in the incident ( i shouldn't have spat on his car after he tried to run me off cap road at about 60 kph ) but in the end it made me a better , safer and more communicative rider and i haven't had any more than minor typical stupid unaware driver things happen to me since .
i use everything available to me ( lights , bell , voice , hand gestures/signals , eye contact , body language and patience , lots of it :lol: ) to make my rides safer for me . i learned a long time ago that in a confrontation of bike vs car , the bike is going to lose every time .
sure , sometimes i blur the line/law between pedestrian and cyclist , but if it results in reduced exposure , and smoother flowing traffic for everyone , i'll consider it .