Originally Posted by
Slaninar
Makes perfect sense for motorcycles - they're usually faster accelerating than cars, not sure about bicycles. Maybe Acidfast can explain it better.
As for bicycles, I often filter all the way to the first car when there's a traffic jam. Filtering to the front is more "traumatic" for the drivers, but starting behind the first car - they get into the intersection first (if anyone's running a "late green", the car gets hit), I use the windshield of the car in front to accelerate easier, the first car controls the pace so I get no horns from the drivers behind - and the cars can easily go past one bicycle since I leave enough room when filtering.
Someone mentioned eliminated a long line of bikes that would prevent driver from making right turns for a while when the light turns green, and I guess this makes sense, but it still seems far from ideal.
When I used to ride a motorcycle, I filtered to the front all the time. This was perfectly normal and acceptable in Italy, but in the US it caused many a driver to freak out and/or get mad. They just don't get it. You are using a fraction of the gas and the road space, so your compensation should be going to the front if there is space to do so. But I even had a cop start screaming in my face and give me a ticket for it (which I later beat).
I see no reason why you shouldn't do it on a push bike, and if anyone gets mad that's their problem, as long as you leave room or don't purposely obstruct them if they want to pass you back.