The first thing you said is the reason cyclists do the second. The biggest risk is a car turning into you at the junction because you were in a blind spot. It

The first thing you said is the reason cyclists do the second. The biggest risk is a car turning into you at the junction because you were in a blind spot. It's much safer to be at the front of the queue so you are clearly visible, and can clear the danger zone ahead of the traffic. Also, in general, things you see cyclists doing that you perceive as dangerous very rarely are - almost every serious bike car crash is because the driver didn't see the cyclist and turned into them. The cyclist behaving most dangerously is timidly hugging the curb trying to stay out of your way!