Police spotting (junction watch)

Hmm, I see what you are saying, and I agree, but is it not possible that they were considered and a reasonable solution could not be found? Obviously I don't know.

Well, in a sense it's always possible to find a reasonable solution to this sort of problem for cyclists--just make as many streets two-way as you possibly can. Or, minimally, design a wider contraflow bus lane. However, this always has an impact on motor vehicle capacity, which is considered more important. It depends on whether you consider it reasonable not to reduce motor traffic capacity in Central London.

The idea that cyclists will do what they want, and rather than change their behaviour the rules should be changed doesn't sit entirely well with me, but maybe that's just reality.

Cyclists should of course follow the rules, even unreasonable ones, but in practice people divide neatly into those who follow unreasonable rules and those who don't. It's just something about us that goes far beyond cycling. On a bike, you can mostly get away with not following the rules unless there is targeted enforcement. It's much better, since the modal share of cycle traffic should be increased, anyway, to design cycle use into your streets rather than design it out.