Don’t assume they’re not special, by law. In some states, bicycles are allowed to proceed through red lights after stopping, while cars are not. (Perhaps similar to how motorcycles in CA are allowed to split lanes while cars are not.)

I don’t really see how else to take your comment but as justification, though FWIW, studies show cars break more traffic laws way more times than bikes.

https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/biking/cycli...

https://www.forbes.com/sites/carltonreid/2019/05/10/cyclists...