Red lights: cyclists should stop for all red lights, but should not necessarily be expected to wait for the light to turn green before proceeding[0]. This is partly because of sensor-activated lights that may never register the presence of a bicycle, and partly because it can be safer by separating the cyclist from traffic waiting at the red. You should also pay attention to how many motorists run red lights (usually for 1-2 seconds after they turn) and stop signs.
Crosswalks: cyclists should slow down for crosswalks. Remember, though, that "full speed" on a bicycle is nothing like full speed in a car. You should pay attention to how many motorists also speed through crosswalks.
Not signalling turning: cyclists should signal all turns unless they are in a situation where they need both hands on the handlebars. As a motorist, you may not be in a position to judge when that is.
Not using bike lane: in most jurisdictions, cyclists are encouraged but not required to use the bike lane. There are good reasons in some cases for not using the bike lane. A bike lane that is next to on-street parking may place cyclists in the door zone[1], making it more dangerous than taking the lane. Bike lanes may also accumulate road debris and be unsafe to ride in.
Hope this helps explain some of why cyclists ride the way they do.
[0]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idaho_stop [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Door_zone
Hm, I rarely have a bike ride where I do not break all four of these at some time, and regularly break all four in one go. If you approach a crossing where you want to make a left turn (riding on the right side of the road), have a clear view of traffic, and the road is free, it IMO is perfectly natural to leave the bike lane for the middle of the road (one could call that a way of indicating direction), and then diagonally cross the crossing instead of following the bike lane, which would have make me a very sharp turn. Doesn't feel dangerous, either, but maybe that's because I live in a country (probably the country) where about as many people on bicycles as people in cars were killed in traffic in 2014.
That said, we do have bicycle accidents. I think a lot of our problem is narrow streets, and DMV expects bicycles to Always obey the same laws motorists are required to, at all times? For instance, my brother got a $200 ticket for riding on a sidewalk at 1:30 p.m. The street was narrow, it was a Friday, and no one was walking on the sidewalk. He thought, 'Why take the risk--I'll just ride on the sidewalk until the street widens up, and then get back on the poorly maintained road?" Well that cost him $200.
Bicycles aren't cars. They don't have the same mass in an accident. They should be given some discretion in what they feel is safe for themselfs, and the general public? That's the problem with traffic laws that don't allow any leeway. (Yes--I know there's some crazy bicyclists, but most of us just want to get to our destination safely, and without a huge Ticket. (I have noticed some motorists who seems jealous of bicyclists? It almost seems like they want to clip us? I'm a big fan a of those small rear view mirrors made for bicyclists. Once you get used to using them; they really are helpful.
The difference is that when you're behind the wheel of a car your in charge of a machine that can very easily kill other people.
> the chance of major injuries is radically lower than when riding a bike.
The chance of causing major injuries is radically higher. You're confusing that with the chance of the driver themselves be the subject of the injuries.
Of course there's a higher degree of accountability for drivers, as there should be.