When I told my family this my, normally quite friendly, brother-in-law asked why.
I told him that it's not unusual to be threatened by drivers when cycling. Anything from close passes that make you jump to a passenger leaning out trying to put a plastic bag over my head.
He got quite angry and proceeded to tell me that cyclists "bring it on themselves and deserve what's coming to them" ...and we get on.
If I suggested waving a baseball bat at strangers on the street he'd rightly think I was mental but apparently if you're on a bike you're fair game.
It's not that unusual for randos I meet socially to say something like "lycra-clad MEN!, it's always men![1], need to get off the road and pay road tax![2], and stop riding through red lights[3] and wear NORMAL clothes![4]"
I could argue with all of that or call them an asshole but what's the point? It's best not to say anything.
It's not about truth or statistics it's about othering an out-group, cyclists and not feeling bad when you scare or hurt them.
1. I ride with lots of women in my bike club. They get just as much hassle but there's generally less kudos at parties in bragging that you tailgated the shit out of a lone woman because she was wearing tight clothes.
2. Road tax in the UK was abolished in 1937. No one here has to pay it and like most cyclists I also have a car.
3. As a point of pride I never ride through a red light but I do see drivers tailgate through red lights or on the wrong side of the road every single day.
4. If I'm going to get sweaty why wouldn't I wear comfortable kit? It's not like I wear a pair of jeans and a t-shirt to go swimming either.