You're probably right! I haven't been to the US, but my stereotypical picture is wide, sweeping grid like roads, which result in drivers going fast. The UK is

You're probably right! I haven't been to the US, but my stereotypical picture is wide, sweeping grid like roads, which result in drivers going fast. The UK isn't really like that especially in metro areas. In London the highway code plays second fiddle to a general 'be alert all the time and be courteous' type system. I think that cycling properly (not just at the side forever) on roads where drivers aim to be hitting 40mph constantly is a dream, really. Too high a speed difference. In inner London, though, likely you will be cycling 10-20mph while cars drive at 20-30mph. Is that not the case in NYC for example? Are your roads just too straight and easy to use so drivers gun it? (It's well known that narrow roads result in unconscious slowing).