Another cyclist comments:

From a legal perspective, the policeman is correct. Intent is a rather important concept in law.

By stopping, your friend showed herself to be aware of the light against her. Had she not stopped, she could have pleaded that she had not seen the light. Instead, she made her intent to break the law obvious to the policeman.

Providing no one is killed, injured, or placed under stress, the running of a red light (by cars, bicycles, or any other vehicle) is a victimless crime. In fact, society might even gain from the savings in commuting time made by the individuals. Most traffic laws fit this description. However, there is the troubling proviso: no one gets killed etc.

Until the highway code is changed to allow cyclists to jump red lights, I'll see them in the same light as the motorists who tear down my residential street at 45mph. After all, they only do it when they think it's safe, and they are saving time.

B-)