Just had some thoughts on this topic which I haven't read elsewhere and would like your considered opinions. First; I do have a bright riding jacket, a white helmet, and extra brake lights which pulse before they are on solid. I'm convinced all this stuff helps a lot for drivers that are sort of connected with the act of driving. But there are a few who are so deeply imbedded in the important text they are sending or receiving that they can (and have) run into emergency vehicles with all the lights flashing.
So the thoughts: if you are first in line coming to a stop light, move to the left of your lane (tires just inside the line) and stop 6-8 feet short of the "stop" line. You want to give the possible red light runner behind you clearance from your bike. You also are giving the left-turner coming from your right more clearance. If you are not the first vehicle to the red light, still put your tires as close to the left line as possible. The vehicle which gets rear-ended is not you but the car in front of you. If you are caught in "stop 'n go" rush hour traffic, the same strategy could work, and I would think the danger of inattentive driving then increases . (Yes, I know what they do in California. Better not to try it in other states or Canada.)
OK, this was my idea and trust you all will point out flaws in my thinking. For me, trying to monitor mediocre mirrors and trying to decide whether I should shoot for a space between cars to avoid a possible rear end collision is the kind of last minute decision that is likely to end badly for me.
So the thoughts: if you are first in line coming to a stop light, move to the left of your lane (tires just inside the line) and stop 6-8 feet short of the "stop" line. You want to give the possible red light runner behind you clearance from your bike. You also are giving the left-turner coming from your right more clearance. If you are not the first vehicle to the red light, still put your tires as close to the left line as possible. The vehicle which gets rear-ended is not you but the car in front of you. If you are caught in "stop 'n go" rush hour traffic, the same strategy could work, and I would think the danger of inattentive driving then increases . (Yes, I know what they do in California. Better not to try it in other states or Canada.)
OK, this was my idea and trust you all will point out flaws in my thinking. For me, trying to monitor mediocre mirrors and trying to decide whether I should shoot for a space between cars to avoid a possible rear end collision is the kind of last minute decision that is likely to end badly for me.