The other people on the street might very well be better off. Driving a car is a very sedentary activity. Most other forms of transport are at least contributing a little to your health too.
(And at least cycling -- for any amount of time -- is a net positive in terms of health everywhere but the few most polluted cities. But even in the most polluted city, brief cycling is a net positive.)
My point is that I prefer to just walk or be careful and not do too much effort when on bike when there are pollution events in my city. I try to make sure I only have to breath through my nose then.
I believe it's worse here in Europe than in the US as we have a large proportion of diesel cars (though where I live now, most pollution comes from the harbour) and during bad pollution events you don't just smell it but you feel the particle-polluted air aggressing your respiratory system.
Are you trying to argue that they are inhaling pollution at an extremely high rate by running downtown or do you just not like the fact that I pointed this out?
(And at least cycling -- for any amount of time -- is a net positive in terms of health everywhere but the few most polluted cities. But even in the most polluted city, brief cycling is a net positive.)