Why Cyclists Love The “Idaho Stop”

When cyclists do a “rolling stop” at an intersection, it can — counterintuitively — make everyone safer

Yeah, I’ve done it.

I’ve broken the law while cycling around NYC.

It’s most often around stop signs and red lights. If I’m cycling up to a stop sign, I’ll check to see if there are any cars or pedestrians arriving in cross traffic. If there aren’t, I’ll do a “rolling stop”: I slow down while I verify things are safe, but roll on through the intersection. I do it carefully — but I’m breaking the law, right?

I do something similar, sometimes, at red lights. I come to a full stop … but if there aren’t any cars or pedestrians approaching in cross traffic? I slowly go through the red light.

Again: Breaking the law! Cyclists are vehicles, and as vehicles they’re bound to obey the rules of the road.

Why do we cyclists behave like this?

It’s mostly because we don’t like to lose momentum. Once a bike is in motion, it takes little effort to keep going. It’s a supremely efficient way to get around. But when you have to stop, and push off from zero? That requires a big thrust of…