Cyclist safety should be considered, and intersections create dangerous conditions for cyclists.
- Right turning cars are extremely dangerous for cyclists. Anything to get away from them and to increase visibility is good. The same applies to pedestrians, and is one of the reasons some cities are starting to turn the walk signal on before giving cars the green light, hoping to make pedestrians more visible (I like to get past the right turn lane before the cars are given the green). I don't think I'd use the crosswalk signal if I was not in the crosswalk, but the same early jump on traffic should apply to cyclists. And, also one reason for bike boxes on the far side of crosswalks to improve visibility.
- Bunching up traffic isn't particularly good, so again, some benefit of getting moving early.
If this went to court, I think the cyclist could argue that riding during the pedestrian signal was safer than not riding early.