Hi qaz - every incident of "abuse from motorists" illustrates why we need to win their hearts and minds. Purely from a selfish perspective every motorist whos been won over (so to speak) is one motorist less likely to be abusive to cyclists on the road. Like them or loathe them , its about our self interest. Every antagonised motorist is one more motorist likely to drive without care for the safety of cyclists.
Colins point regarding where safety concerns deem it safer to ride 2 abreast is wholey valid and everyone agrees that cyclists should cycle according to there own best safety.
However, however much you try and take control of the situation and try not to allow the atttitude 'I'm bigger, harder and faster than you. Get out of my way!' ultimately the cyclist is vulnerable , the cyclist is going to come off worse when incidents occur. This is why, unpalatable as it may be, it is in all our interests to win hearts and minds. That does not mean riding unsafely or kow towing to motorists - its means riding with courtesy and consideration , and not unnessecarily making enemies. Adopting an adversarial approach is not in the longterm best interests of cyclists at large.
