I don't have medical insurance. The cars who swerve to hit me, and i catch them, usually complain to me about the fact that we should have bike lanes in some kind of oxy moron's way of saying "please don't kill me, I was on a power trip, and lost control of my impulse". But ummmm yeah. Bp which used to be called Anglo Iranian oil wants our country to militarily attack Iran for oil. Shell wants to trigger earthquakes, and disturb inactive volcanoes out west for oil, and those are just a few of the minor reasons we need bike lanes.
Drivers get angry because you're taking 'their' roadway away.
Here in NYC, our esteemed Mayor Bloomberg has realized that biking is a great way to facilitate tourism and contribute to the health of citizens. (he's also banned smoking in restaurants and taxed cigarettes enormously, a pack is now $12 I think, and he was trying to impose a 'sugar tax' on soft drinks.)
THe reality is, the bike lanes are completely ignored by drivers who double-park in them, and cause a hazard when they turn into them without looking, as well as other bikers who go down them the wrong way. But hey, no system is perfect.
But overall, the gesture is enormous just because of the sheer fact it acknowledges bicyclists in this town and raises awareness.