Originally Posted by
Calsun
While it may seem sensible to follow the rules in going through city traffic it is also decidedly dangerous.
The most defenseless position any road user can take is to allow other vehicles to catch up/overtake from behind. This is often unavoidable, but I do my very best to never stop in a traffic lane on a bicycle. If it means running red lights, stop signs, making goofy turns, or even riding a sidewalk...I'm going to avoid being a sitting duck out there.
I have no idea what happened to the victim or why, just agreeing with the OP on following traffic rules (laws) to the letter no matter what. That is "decidedly dangerous" and unnecessary in many instances, and just adds to the danger baked into the situation of being the slower, more delicate road user.