I would interpret malcycling as the timing being off on the lights.

As and example, I've been stopped at a light where the green light on one branch of the intersection is green for just a second or so, not enough time for a car to get through intersection, before it turns red again.

And just recently, near my home, the lights were cycling through green, yellow and red so quickly, a huge jam was created because people didn't know whose turn it was.