One specific city traffic technique not yet mentioned here helps me quite a bit, and secondarily, the motorists with whom I deign to share the road: When I'm approaching a red light on flat or uphill street, I pull all the way to the right and set a foot down on the curb, about 3 car lengths back from the light. This unmistakeably signals to the motorists that I've yielded the lane to them. When it goes green, I let all the motorized traffic zoom by (ESPECIALLY the right-turners) then I go. This way I get a short rest to catch my breath, and I'm not delaying anyone who might be in a big, motorized hurry.

At the downhill lights, I just take the lane, since I'm just as fast-starting as the cagers in that situation.