Jwin wrote:

"If your are that much of a danger to fall over you shouldn't be on a bike."

Everyone is in more danger when starting. It is the laws of physics. This is especially true with toeclips, which otherwise improve safety.

When I see a car approaching the stop sign from any direction, I always stop completely and wait to see what the car will do. You never know when a car coming toward you might turn.

"I ride to work every day (and have for more than 10 years), stopping at all stop signs and lights in one of the hilliest cities in America and have never once seen a cyclists on their side from falling over at a stop sign or light."

I have. I myself have not fallen over but I am an experienced rider and I always leave the toeclips loose. I stop at all stop signs too, but not always completely. I slow down to less than a walking speed (<3 mph).

"I have been hit by more than one bike that failed to stop for me while I legally crossed the street in a crosswalk."

As I said, a bicyclist should always stop for pedestrians in crosswalks, or even pedestrians who are jaywalking. I once plowed into a pedestrian on Wisconsin Avenue in DC. He was running through traffic dodging cars. He almost made it to my side. I never saw him. He had to go to the hospital. I was fine. It was scary.