i don't think the question was if he was breaking the law. i think the question is whether it is ethical for a cop to allow someone to break the law several times (a law btw that is intended to keep the offender and pedestrians safe) before pulling them over, apparently for the purpose of ratcheting up the fines.

perhaps the cop was hindered by one of the red lights or traffic, hence why it took several violations before he caught the cyclist. that would certainly be reasonable to me. letting violations happen in front of you without stopping the violations is not chill simply as a matter of policy.