> If cyclists would simply follow the traffic laws that already exist
Yes, but bicycles are no cars. So the city need also to come up with bike lanes and adequate regulations. It is too easy to blame the participant which has no real place in traffic.
The question is: will the society as a whole benefit more from money spent by scientists and engineers or from a better health and education system.
I think this is a "win win win" situation for a specific range of wealthy people and not the society at all.