I am fully aware that trackstanding takes skill, and it is a skill I possess in small amounts -- that is to say, I can hold a steady stand for a few seconds. If you're good at it, then more power to you. I watch guys track stand, in place, seemingly effortlessly, and I'm very impressed.

However: most of the folks I see trackstanding lack sufficient skill to remain in place, causing the cross traffic (including, often, pedestrians and fellow cyclists) no end of consternation trying to decide whether they will or won't roll through the intersection. Worse, they seem to feel the need to exercise this skill when the light is a solid 30-45 seconds from changing, and there is not likely to be any break in traffic (for the light runners).

I'm all for practicing and developing one's skills, but not at busy intersections. There's a time and a place for trackstanding, and a time and a place for putting one's foot down. I'm opposed to folks who can't (or won't) make that distinction, thus my inclusion of the word 'gratuitous'. I can see how that might not have clarified the situation for anyone but me.