Yes, maybe you will be seen. If the only risk in city traffic was being rear ended..

The distance from behind doesn't matter much in city traffic, but the Solas and likes is visible that mile you mention, and you are visible from the sides - the latter part is quite important in city traffic, unless you consider being rear ended a higher risk than being side-swiped, which in city traffic is usually not the case. And with lights like the Solas you can both be seen from the side, as well as that mile from behind.