Originally Posted by
CliffordK
If you are
#1 in a line of cars, then you're a bit exposed. Further back in the line, and you aren't.
OTOH, if you're up front, oncoming traffic can see that there's a bicycle in the line. That can keep an oncoming right-on-red from trying to shoot the gap that you're in. I do prefer to be second in line at these so a car can trip any sensors and bet the target/deterrent for any cross traffic running the fresh red, but I tend to stay right on the lead car's bumper when it goes so that hopefully anyone waiting to turn right won't get moving fast enough to hit me if they're letting the car get through.
Also, second in line, if the first is a passenger car, I can generally stand up and make eye contact with potentially conflicting traffic before the light changes to determine whether they've noticed I'm there or not, and plan accordingly.