While I know that 25 is a small sample size, I find it hard to believe that twice as many people play 1. b4 than 1. d4, based on completely random pairings.
The other objections about having more resources in 1. e4 openings doesn't sound right. There are plenty of books, database results and tactics from closed games. I personally don't play 1. e4 just because of the reasons you cited. I play it for other reasons.
Having just found out that I could look up my personal statistics on Game Explorer, I looked at my results as Black and saw that of the 25 games as Black, I have only faced 1.d4 once. Yet, whenever the subject of what opening move is "better," the d4 fans all chime in. I find it hard to believe that only 4% of White players play 1. d4. What's with this?