I'm curious if Amsterdam is missing the deadly car drivers that we have in San Francisco. I haven't been riding a bike in SF long but it feels a lot like London for the hate-hate relationship between cyclists and drivers.
I disagree, there is definately no hate-hate relationship here in the Netherlands. Everybody who drives also cycles, so they are aware of the fear cyclists have for cars and are always give cyclists space. This respect is then usually abused by the cyclists so they tend to demand right of way, making driving even more precarious.
I think we do have less of them. I guess it's because the law favors bicyclists so that virtually always the car is found to be at fault. It provides a good balance.
I think the hate-hate relationship is probably just meant to keep each other sharp as in: always make sure you pay attention 'because the other guys are bastards'.
