I disagree, a cyclist is a pedestrian, a sub classification. You can essentially classify pedestrians as walkers, joggers, runners & special pedestrians. The latter group to include pedestrians in wheelchairs, skateboards, roller blades, heelies, on bicycles or tricycles or any other human or low horse powered machine (segway). There is a pecking order of vulnerability to injury and life threatening situations for each class that the next group has to exercise due care to ensure that everyone gets safely to where they are commuting by the mode of motion they chose. Gross negligence certainly is the exception, but the top of the food chain here has to protect the bottom. There are simply situations where it makes no sense for a cyclist to be considered and therefore have to adhere to the same rules that a motorist & therefore motorcycle, scooter or automobile has to adhere.

The concept of whether a cyclist is not a pedestrian is debatable. OK, we have adult cyclists, how fast are they riding ? There are times they could be going as fast as a motorist. But my point is, you'd have a hard time convincing me in an argument/debate that a grade schooler should not be classified as a pedestrian and afforded all the advantages of being considered a pedestrian. Just from my driver's education, parts of a successful trip is one where damage to the vehicle, injury or loss of life. And how a cyclist is perceived, is applicable to how a cyclist is viewed in terms of being treated as a pedestrian or automobile. To me it comes down to safety.