2012 was an interesting year to be a bike rider.

Cycling became more popular than ever thanks to the exploits of Bradley Wiggins, Chris Hoy, Victoria Pendleton, Sarah Storey, Jason Kenny and the rest of the riders who confirmed Britain’s status as the world’s top cycling nation.

But cyclists became more unpopular than ever, as their growing presence on the roads caused anger among a small but vocal minority of motorists.

There are several reasons we annoy that minority so much: our relatively low speed delays drivers' arrival at their next traffic jam; our survival instinct is often misinterpreted as self-importance; our sense of health and wellbeing is often misinterpeted as smugness; our practical clothing is often misinterpreted as a uniform.

As far as I can see, two events caused the tipping point that saw the country’s love of cycling turn to hatred.

First, Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins was knocked off his bike near his Lancashire home, prompting a backlash from many who felt he shouldn’t have been on the road in the first place.

Then the BBC broadcast its ‘War on Britain’s Roads’ documentary, which certainly helped to promulgate the idea that many cyclists are just lycra-clad hooligans who think they’ve got more right to be on the road than anybody else.

There was a even a Twitter account launched to name and shame people who tweeted their hatred of bike riders on their morning commute.

As in most situations, it's the people with the most extreme views who make themselves heard, and I reckon it's fair to say that the majority of drivers and cyclists are quite happy to share the roads.

I’m quite prepared to let you get past me in your car as long as you do me the courtesy of giving a little bit of room.

Go to France and it’s a different story, with cycling a revered national pastime and road signs everywhere instructing drivers to give cyclists a wide berth.

If only cyclists in Britain were treated with the same respect paid to horse riders.

But with a bit of consideration we can all get on – remember, the vast majority of cyclists are car drivers too.