"I doubt this fact is anywhere near the 'perceptions' that Wilmington's Cow is so worried about"
OH FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!
Seriously, not what I meant in the slightest, not the point I was making, merely reflecting that there 'are' perceptions, and whether based on fact or myth they do exist, they will continue to exist, and it's against that mindset that any changes or suggestions have to be pitched. So while 'we' have a perception that RLJing is safe (in the main, gfb and others excepted), the little old lady (no, no problem with that) may/will have a different perception. Will cyclists continuing to RLJ change that perception? No. Will the facts mean that shell change her perception? Doubtful. Will her perception be taken into account by those who are actually looking at changing the law and asking their constituents what they think about it despite her perception not being based in fact? More than likely.
Perceptions may be incorrect, but perceptions carry weight. Anyone who has read the comments on the EEN, or who has been told they don't pay road tax, or has been told ALL cyclists run reds and cycle on the pavement, will know this. And it's been said and levelled at us for years without going away. And those perceptions get mentioned in debates in parliament, or in responses to consultations suggesting improvements to the cyclists' lot, and on the basis of that we often get no, or compromised, provision.
So yes, the perception is wrong. But the perception exists, and the perception carries weight, therefore to ignore it, or to simply say 'aye but that's wrong' is frankly naïve and blinkered.