If more folk went out cycling to see what it was like to be part of a chaingang, I'm sure motorists tolerance of them would be so much better.
Richie, I'd agree with most of what you're saying. There certainly are a lot of "Knob" drivers out there without any common sense that put the lowly cyclist on the defensive.
I've spent some time over in Holland, and because cycling is a huge part of their society mostly all of the roads give way to cyclists at intersections so the driver has no choice but to be careful and even stop.
The occasional encounter with even a small group of cyclists is met with great fury and lots of gesticulating over here. Don't know the solution, but it's not nice to be on the receiving end of the abuse or poor driving, that's for sure!!