But the cable run for the back is worse as it goes round the headset.
On my Pompino, with standard cabling (left rear), it still goes round the headset.
You can get a decent and neat cable run for the front by cutting the cable shorter; plus it conforms to standard so you don't go arse over tit when getting back on that bike after riding a proper one.
It's much neater if it comes from the left hand lever, it doesn't have to double back on itself.
In practice, neither he nor I have ever found it an issue swapping between bikes with the front brake on the left or right.