I use traffic signals, and my ability to ride relatively fast, to cycle in empty traffic gaps that are generally CREATED by red lights. Just saying I run red lights is not the entire picture here. Sometimes I wait at a green light and follow the last car through to catch the gap (and maybe a draft) behind that last car. Sometimes I run a red light to get into the gap AHEAD of the cars waiting for that red light - especially red lights that stay red a long time so I get a huge head start.

If you are good with word problems, calculate how much empty space I get to enjoy by running a red light (that stays red for 60 seconds) at 20mph cycling speed as the cars coming up behind me 60 seconds later are doing 30 mph. I can tell you from experience I can stay ahead of them for about 1/16 to 1/8 of a mile. But traffic signals are not spaced that far apart, so I just "lather, rinse, repeat" for miles and miles enjoying a car-free ride. Some days I may go 6 entire miles without being overtaken by even one car if I catch the light cycles and wind just right, and feel good that day.

Same with stop signs. I just keep running them block after block so cars never catch up.

Another good reason to run red lights in my city is so you don't get smacked in the face with a baseball bat by some young gangsta going through his initiation phase. Certain hoods you gotta keep moving through.

So in a nutshell, I run red lights SOMETIMES to avoid being overtaken by motorists looking at telephone screens instead of through their windscreens. Other times I stop at green lights (off to the side of course) to let traffic clear that intersection before I proceed to enjoy a nice car free gap. I refuse to die as a hood ornament.