Originally Posted by manderax
So, you pull up to the red light. All you have to do is turn right, pedal for 100 feet or so, pull a U-turn, take another right, and PRESTO, you are on your way, Right!?
Do you commonly bend the rules like this, or are you a stickler?
Even if you don't particularly care about the law, skipping red lights unnecessarily aggravates motorists. If you commute, be aware that a lot of people see you all the time and know who you are. Having said that, the smile and wave routine probably mitigates the negative effects somewhat.
If you can't get yourself to wait for the light, make your (legal) right turn on red, go down the road to the next street, turn left, and ride parallel for a bit. You can pick up your original path later. This lets you keep the flow you are looking for with fewer disadvantages.
Wackos and cops sometimes decide to do things about cyclists that irritate them. We all get picked on from time to time, but your riding style has a huge impact on your odds.