[WS:] "The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich and the poor alike to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread." (Anatole France)
In other words, the idea of "equal rights" for a 7 ton SUV on a collision course with a 30lb bike seems a bit bizarre, to say the least. What this perspective seems to be missing is that different modes of transportation are not equal, legal formulas notwithstanding, and therefore require special protections - like physically separated lanes, safe crossings, etc. One of the most striking differences between US and European cities is the nearly total absence of any special provisions for the pedestrians and bicyclists in the former - no overpasses or underpasses - which a re a standard feature in most European cities, few separate walkways or lanes. DC is a relatively bicycle and ped friendly by the US standards, but it has no underpasses for pedestrian traffic. Even if a ped has a green light on a busy intersection, he/she has to compete with vehicles making right turns.
I understand that many bicyclists ride as if traffic laws did not apply to them, but that does not change the fact that riding a bike or walking automatically puts one in the position of a second class citizen vis a vis drivers. Perhaps it has something to do with the car bubble you mentioned in your other post which makes one oblivious to those outside that bubble.
-- Wojtek
"Modern conservatism is just a neoliberal gloss on medieval domination."