That white van man that saw you could very well think "well if that peanut isn't going to play by the rules then why should I give him the space he wants"?
So next time you get a clipped by a white vans wing mirror just ask if your RLJ'ing is worth it.
That's the reaction of someone who has given in to bullying.
We hear all the time from aggressive or neglectful drivers how they'll treat cyclists with care and respect "once they obey all the laws like drivers have to". (LOL)
Well, sorry but a driver's responsibility to be careful around me is not dependent upon the behaviour of other cyclists or that driver's opinion of my choice of transport. By going along with this subservience, you perpetuate the myth that people who cycle are second class road users whose presence is to be tolerated by the motoring masses and on their terms only.
Consequently, *you* are giving cyclists a bad name.