Was cycling home on a bike path. There are several stop signs on the BIKEPATH when coming to an intersection. Maybe 8 on a 30 mile stretch. So, I slowed from 15-18 to 3-4 as I approached. It was clear both directions so I simply did an Idaho stop.
Some guy in a car on the street running parallel blows his horn and as I look over he gestures wildly at the stop sign I'd just rolled through and flipped me off. So, I flipped HIM off. THAT'S why people hate cyclists. lol
We're an iconoclastic bunch who operate against the grain of society. Was I wrong for doing a Idaho stop? No doubt. Had I been on the street in amongst regular traffic I'd have done a trackstand for one count and THEN rolled.
That being said I've had bottles, lit cigarettes, tampons, cans, paperclips and a hundred other items thrown at me over the years. Nevermind the THOUSANDS of insults shouted through both open and closed windows.
Why do people hate cyclists? For a variety of reasons. Some of them valid. Most of them not. But, just know pissing someone off for slowing them for 15 seconds is gonna happen. Comes with the lifestyle. One either deals or stays on the sidewalk.