[dkobran]

There's a clear distinction between these two modes of transit which is suspiciously absent in this comment: A car or truck is a quickly moving multi-ton metal box with a stopping distance of ~40 feet at only 20mph. As such, a vehicle is an immediate threat to anything around it. In contrast, bicycles may pose an indirect threat to others e.g. causing an accident (a threat posed by vehicles as well) but their immediate threat i.e. loss of life due to collision is essentially zero.

It's also worth noting that drivers tend to be less alert than bikers. Distracted drivers (e.g. drivers on their phone) are a major cause of vehicles running stops signs/lights. When bikers run stop signs/lights, they are generally very aware since their lives depend on them being aware -- they are acting with intention.

In any case, for these reasons and others, there are states that actually observe what is called an Idaho Stop for bikers which allows them to roll through stops signs and lights if it is safe to do so.