Cyclists are treated as if they are staionary.

[brooksby]

There's also the concept that drivers don't think of overtaking cyclists as actual overtaking. You used it in your own post 'pass' a cyclist, whereas I bet you would say 'overtake' for a car. Many drivers have the attitude that it's their right to breeze past cyclists quickly.

Seconded. They don't think that overtaking a bike is really overtaking, hence why they pass so closely and hence why motorists take such umbrage if a cyclist is further out from the kerb than they would like. They don't seem to realise that if they can't pass without crossing the centre line then there probably isn't room to pass.

[Vorpal]

Some drivers. Some cyclists. Just remember that it is usually the minority that are prats on both transport methods not the majority. just get on with your life and do what you can to stay safe when you inevitably meet the idiot user of bike or car. Enjoy the 99% of the time you are out on your bike (may not apply to big city riders of course but then your fault for living in such an area )

Unfortunately, for most of us, that's where the jobs are. So we can live in cities, or have silly commutes. Which would you prefer?