BIKE: It's *always* dangerous to cruise Stop signs?

[Byrnes, Rick]

The decision to proceed blithely through the intersection should be based on
interaction with other vehicles more so than on only the absence of the stop
sign. 
I'm sure we all know how easy it is for a vehicle driver to overlook the
small head-on visual image of a person on a bike.  

If I'm the bike rider, I don't really ride blithely through the intersection
at full speed.    I generally will stop pedaling, look directly at the car
driver, and then "proceed with caution" through the intersection.   If the
driver is looking away from me, I'll put my hands on the brake levers in
preparation for stopping.  If the driver sees me, he usually will let me
take the lead.   I'll start pedaling to get through the intersection faster.

If there are other vehicles in or near the intersection, I'll be even more
cautious. 
In effect, I'm practicing defensive driving, or defensive cycling.