This morning's commute and other commuting stories

So the solution would be to dismount the bike, lift it onto the pavement, walk round the red light, put the bike back on the road, remount it and continue. Alternatively, lift the bike 1 inch off the ground walk through the red light put it down again, remount it and continue.

My main point is that Crank vs Brooks doesn't make the bike disappear just because you're pushing it.

I don't know what you mean by this despite your repeating it. Of course the bike doesn't actually disappear but it does, arguably, change from being a vehicle to something else, "luggage" maybe. I'd go on the principle that until something is tested in court and found to be illegal then it remains legal (on the broad basis that everything is legal until specifically contraindicated by the law).

My point is more that if you uphold that pushing a bicycle while walking with it by your side is propelling in an illegal way then for many it's basically impossible to ever pass that sign. You are also inadvertently redefining what 'riding on the pavement' is as it's also going to be worded as 'propelling your bicycle along the pavement'.

A large part of why nobody goes to court over this is the expectation and promotion of the idea cyclist should "just pay the fine" when stopped and not stick up for themselves as much as others would.