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From BikeRadar (http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/ctc-condemns-
ministers-vigilante-comment-13997)

CTC condemns minister's vigilante comment
By BikeRadar

UK cycle advocacy body CTC has strongly criticized Home Office
spokesman Lord Bassam for suggesting that vigilante action against
cyclists is acceptable.

In a House of Lords debate on 10 January, Baroness Sharples said she
had struck a cyclist with her bag when the cyclist crossed against
the red light. She asked Lord Bassam whether or not she was "within
[her] rights" and he replied that, "she probably did the right thing."

That's just not on, says the CTC. "A Government Minister advocating
vigilante action is extremely disturbing and can only increase the
levels of violence on our roads," says Roger Geffen, CTC campaigns
manager.

"[Lord Bassam] would doubtless be quick to condemn cyclists who
showed the slightest display of aggression towards drivers who cut
them up, use mobile phones or break the speed limit. Yet these are
the sorts of threats which cyclists' face every day."

Cyclists' behaviour at red lights is probably the most contentious
issue in bike commuting forums. The CTC points out that there are two
sides to what many see as simple law-breaking.

"Anti-social behaviour is unacceptable whoever it comes from, and
jumping red lights is against the law whether you do it on a bike or
in a car," says Roger Geffen. "However, given that most cyclists'
injuries are due to drivers crashing into them at junctions, is it
any wonder that some cyclists would rather have a brush with the law
than put their own safety at risk?"