@gmpolice go nuclear on bike riders

I dont often have a go at the fuzz: difficult jobs and all that. True, they don't always endear themselves to the Great British Public but then, that's not really what they're for is it.
But I have to record my disgust, yes DISGUST dear reader, with their actions in fining 400 riders in ten days in Manchester for 'dangerous' riding.
According to the article in the South Manchester Reporter, dangerous activities included: jumping red lights, riding on the pavement, using a mobile when riding and dangerously weaving in and out of traffic.
My considered view on this list of offences is: what a load of shite. 
Under the guise of making cyclists aware of danger, 400 riders got £80 on the spot fines or could opt to have them waived in return for attending a cycling course at a fire station of all places.
The pcso (whatever that is) quoted in the article said - apparently without trying to sound patronising - "Many cyclists we spoke to were not aware of the danger they put themselves in...". Really, I bet they did.
I reckon the conversation went something like this: 

Plod: Evenin' all: are you aware that riding like that is dangerous?
Rider: No, because it isn't.
Plod: Ah, another one of the 'many'

Put brakes on: gettit?

Dont get me wrong, cycling can be dangerous, very dangerous but I'm not sure I know a single cyclist who is not acutely aware of their vulnerability on our roads and what we all need is protection from the law not having it whacked over our heads under the banner of safety.
To me this is a clear symptom of more riders and no improvements in infrastructure.
They even had one of those annoying names for the operation.  This one was called Grimaldi when it should have been called Operation Coppi. Poor show all round. 

Thin blue ride

There have been various calls over the last few months for cyclists to engage in some sort of formal training before taking to the road.
Notwithstanding the logistical challenge of making everyone who owns a bike doing some sort of test and enforcing it, it seems to me to be unnecessary.
Quite apart from anything else, most people I know who cycle, take a keen interest in their riding style.
The best thing I ever did for my cycling and car driving for that matter, was learn to ride a motorbike.
The thing with riding a motorbike is that if you crash, you're basically toast meaning you have to know what you're doing.  I'm by no means the best bike handler in the world but I'm much, much better than I used to be.
Simple things like checking blind spots - something which car only drivers seldom do - are given extra importance on a motorbike as they become 'your lifesaver'.
Many cyclists and motorcyclists like to think of themselves as students of the road and if I could recommend one book to read, it'd be the Police motorcyclist's riding guide: Roadcraft.

Warning: may include doughnuts

If you want to know how to read a bend, all about lane positioning and being safe at speed, this is a great place to start.
My copy is from the early 1980s and it basically explains defensive riding techniques before the term was invented.
You can pick copies up for a couple of quid and it'll make you a better rider.