Don't Stop so Close to Me - Bike Positioning at Traffic Lights

I was driving the company car one day (Yes, I know, but sometimes I have to drive a car. Let's move on.) and when I stopped at a traffic light I noticed a Honda Ruckus getting closer and closer.

Eventually the Ruckus rider was pretty much on my back bumper. I mean this guy couldn't have gotten closer if he tried. I thought "what's the Ruckus all about? (Okay, sorry, a little bike humour there. Yes, I know very little.)

Actually I thought, "where you gonna go dumb-ass if some bozo in their truck or car doesn't notice you and decides to get up nice and snug with the back of my car." See, this guy was not only extremely close to me, he was way over in the right side of the lane, practically up against the curb. And it was a high curb, so I don't think he got have ridden over it if he had to, at least not in a hurry to get out of the way of some inattentive box jockey.

I felt like telling him to back the hell off and use better lane positioning at traffic lights.

It's tough enough to be seen on a bike, don't make it harder by hiding yourself where a car driver ain't likely going to look.
Then I thought some more about coming to a stop at a traffic light and figured I would ask you some questions. If you're in a good position, you can be seen by the driver in front in their rearview mirror and by drivers behind, more easily. It's a simple safety tip, but effective.

Do you ride bumpers like that guy does? Or do you give yourself an escape route in case you need one for whatever reason, and Lord knows there's plenty.

Do you keep watching your mirrors to see if you need to make your getaway? I always found it's a good idea to keep an eye on what's going on all around you, but especially behind when you're stopped and a sitting duck. That's why I always blink my brake light a bit just to help drivers see that I'm there and stopped.

Do you keep your bike in gear? It's much easier to save yourself when already to roll. 

How about footing? Do you look at the spot where you're going to stop and put your foot down? Oil, coolant, and other slick things tend to pool in these areas and can make for treacherous footing. 

I know you know all these things, but seeing this guy seemingly not care about where he and his Ruckus were made me think about going over my traffic light skills. I figured I would pass my thoughts along to you too. Just don't go too far with them. I only have a few and need the back. 

As the Police sang, "Don't stop so close to me." Or something like that.