The cop friend is wrong- very wrong.

For me my speed can vary from about 15 mph to 25 mph- much faster than any pedestrian or jogger. A car moving towards me means any collision occurs at a much higher rate of speed than if we are traveling in the same direction. Also, traffic lights are set for traffic approaching from the same direction- meaning I can't tell what the traffic light is doing. One other reason among the many more I could list- if I, or any other cyclist, is traveling with traffic and you are traveling against we have a really good chance of colliding and believe me we're going to resent you, if not sue you for messing us up by breaking the law and common sense by riding against traffic.