It depends on the country. For instance in France a cyclist as no business alongside pedestrians : you either share the road with cars, use a dedicated line or get off your bicyle and walk alongside pedestrians. So I can definitely understand the feeling that bikers are appearing out of nowhere when crossing as if they were pedestrians, just very very fast ones.
Here (Japan) bikes have a complete disregard for the rule of law, other bikes, pedestrians and cars. I bike everyday to work (30 minutes each way), and the most frightening are in order : cyclists, pedestrians and cars. Cars mostly follow the rules, so they are highly predictable. Bicycles just storms from anywhere at any time, crossing red lights without braking or even checking if something/someone is incoming... terrifying.
Here (Japan) bikes have a complete disregard for the rule of law, other bikes, pedestrians and cars. I bike everyday to work (30 minutes each way), and the most frightening are in order : cyclists, pedestrians and cars. Cars mostly follow the rules, so they are highly predictable. Bicycles just storms from anywhere at any time, crossing red lights without braking or even checking if something/someone is incoming... terrifying.