Cornellian, well I lived in Germany for years and I dont like the cyclists, why, well they have everything they need as you well pointed out but that doesnt stop them breaking the law all the time, ignoring red lights, going on pedestrian path ways insteed of there own, breaking numerous laws and to be honest nobody does anything about it most of the time. The cyclist is protected in Germany by so many laws but they still go around breaking the ones they dont have.
A cyclist can do just about anything but by god dont ever hit one with your car, even if its there fault, you dont have a chance.