Yes, generally the solution is the two things you identify: 1) there is an extensive bicycle network, separated as much as possible from the vehicular lanes; an

Yes, generally the solution is the two things you identify: 1) there is an extensive bicycle network, separated as much as possible from the vehicular lanes; and 2) cycling is something a broad cross-section of the population does, on said network. In that case it would be both stupid and probably illegal to bike in the car lanes, and there is also no real "cyclist" identity. That is also how it is here (Copenhagen). In almost all parts of the U.S., the law and infrastructure cuts the other way, though. There is no separate bike infrastructure [1], and bicycles are legally treated as vehicles. In that context, it doesn't seem that surprising to me that the fewer people who still dare ride a bike demand to be treated as the (poorly designed) legal framework envisions they should be. [1] I'd love a good source to verify this comparison (I heard it in a talk), but something I recently heard quoted is: Greater Copenhagen (1.5m people) has more km of protected bicycle infrastructure (~1000km) than the entire United States added together does (~400km).