Misterq,
Growth of Town and Cities, sadly, more development are those contributing factors which increase traffic in Towns, Cities.
We do not have bikes used as much perhaps as you have, but use for pleasure rather than work. Trains, well we have to travel to reach them and then park our vehicles for the day costing much to store and park for day…as well as train fares… Cab services limited where I live. Bus is another major source of transportation when one has no car.
Sad the mention of those not yielding to emergency vehicles as those are potential saviors for ones life or home. However, here if sirens sound, no one moves to side of road, you are given a very big fine/ticket..