Cyclists are unique in the transport world by being unstable at zero or low speeds. Stability is only achieved by adjusting weight position and direction. The faster you go, the more stable you become but at very low speeds a cyclist has to wobble from one side to side to another until stability from speed is achieved.

Sat at red lights, with a car dangerously close, the cyclist has three options for when the lights turn to green. First, start and risk bumping into the car, second wait until the car has gone and risk not moving at all if a long queue of cars is behind the first car, and third, move as far forward as possible so that when the lights change he or she can start and get to a stable speed before the car overtakes.

The third option is by far the most sensible. Apart from the stability issue there are two added bonuses. Fist, the driver of car that was alongside can now actually see the cyclist and be knowingly responsible for safety when passing. Second, the cyclist is able to see, which the motorist is not, whether there is any traffic coming in either direction.

Finally, if a cyclist can see that there are no oncoming cars, or pedestrians crossing, then it is perfectly safe to go through the red light. OK it is annoying to the motorists. who can't see what the cyclist can see. They have to wait.

The cyclist has to think of their own safety first because there is no guarantee that motorists will.