Do we have to use cycle lanes if they're there?

I saw a cyclist at a light who had to explain to a black cab driver why he was not using the cycle lane (the shit bit on Queenstown Road to Chelsea Bridge with a bus stop, pot holes, trees and road signs in the middle of it). He laughed at the driver's silly question and said "it is very dirty like you I prefer to use the smooth road".

Did he mean "It is very dirty. Like you, I prefer to use the smooth road."

Or did he mean "It is very dirty, like you. I prefer to use the smooth road."

?