Being an OGIL, I hate to break-it to many people here and to Ms Phillips that things haven't changed significantly since the '80s when I commuted in London, the major difference is there are probably more cyclists now than there were and congestion frustration must be pi55ing more drivers off.
There were always fights real bloody fisty fights, RLJing, poor behaviour and plenty smugness.
There was also less lycra, no helmets and no instant photography.
I recall some regular cycle commuters had a short wooden cosh on their handlebars to hit offending cars with. and whistles to attract their attention.
Nobody really cared then, we were relatively few, the weirdos on bikes.
But now we are many, and we're growing in numbers daily, and they are scared that we are right.
I'm with you about little changing. I was cycling to school along Stamford Street in the 70s and cycling around London as a working man or student in the 80s.
I remember the whistles very clearly. I always thought them slightly shrill and silly - and a good way to lose the teeth in an endo.
I do not recall the coshes at all, despite being a motorcycle courier and keen cyclist whose other half was a bicycle courier.
What I do recall (no need for a cosh) was the habit of couriers generally to bring a clenched fist down hard on any door mirror that he or she considered was not being used as it should. Not regularly, but not infrequently either.
I recall cars being kicked, too. But the danger there is that the mass of the car results in the cyclist (or even motorcyclist) being pushed back across the lane by his own kick.
I did find that the lower traffic density at the onset of Congestion Charge was a boon. It was noticeable, as was the short-lived (and much earlier) Ring of Steel around the Square Mile.
I do not see motorists now as being scared. And I do not imagine they think that cyclists are right... As you said at the beginning of your post, things haven't changed significantly since the 80s.
Edit: What has changed is the volume of cyclists who appear not to enjoy cycling. This I cannot explain. In '75, '85, '95 and so on, one shared the road with cyclists who appeared to have been born riding and were in their element. These days, for every comfortable, competent commuter, one sees another who is either clueless or looks seriously out of their element or comfort zone. The streets habve not changed but they seem to have attracted some people quite unsuited to their hobby.
