Many ignorant people have commented on Cameron’s bike ride from W11 to SW1A 0AA.

Let’s look at the four points he has been accused of.

As a preamble, this is the order of importance that should guide urban road facilities:
1. Safety of vulnerable road users, (pedestrians and cyclists)
2. Safety of motor vehicle drivers,
3. Convenience of vulnerable road users,
4. Convenience of motor vehicle drivers.

If a facility puts, say, the convenience of motorists ahead of the safety of vulnerable road users, it is reasonable to disregard it.

1. Dawson Place – Riding against the one way street. For some perverse reason Kensington & Chelsea has made a 40 metre stretch of a key cycling route one way [on the map it is the bit between Chepstow Place and Hereford Road]. Most probably, K&C has not bothered to install a contraflow lane, because they would not dare take off parking places in this residential street. It is a case of (4) coming before (3); it is therefore reasonable for Cameron to go against the one-way.
2. Hyde Park Corner – Going through red on a pelican crossing. CTC informs us that it is not actually illegal. Moreover, Transport for London has set the traffic lights for bicycles in a way that forces riders to wait twice to cross the southern part of the roundabout. More crucially, they have to wait in an unprotected island with fast-flowing, swerving traffic on both sides. This is a case of (4) coming before (1). It is natural for Cameron to leave that vulnerable place as quickly as possible
3. The Mall – Turning at the right of a beacon. This is so trivial, that doesn’t merit comment
4. Parliament Square – Crossing the white line before lights turn green. Here Cameron does a manoevre recommended by all cycle instructors: at traffic lights: position yourself in front of the first vehicle. The most dangerous place is to be to the left of the waiting vehicle. In this case there is a barrier on the left. The first car [a Labour MP on his way to the House?] could cut the corner and crush the clueless rider on his left. Please note that Cameron stopped a couple of metres ahead.

It is regrettable that Cameron chose to apologise, rather than explain that what he did was reasonable and at no point did he threaten pedestrians.

Hello spring. What spring? by Zakka