By default people riding bicycles present an enormously lower risk profile and negligible externalities. I would not call the Idaho stop "special" treatment so

By default people riding bicycles present an enormously lower risk profile and negligible externalities. I would not call the Idaho stop "special" treatment so much as I would call it an appropriate treatment for the type of vehicle that a bicycle is. And for the same reason I think it's nonsensical to hold people in bicycles to a higher standard on anything. No noise pollution. No air pollution. Requires only a fraction of the amount of public space cars do for mobility and storage. Massively improved visibility of surroundings w/r/t cars. Smaller hitbox with lower weights and lower speeds, translating into a massively reduced momentum differential in a collision, plus way more runway and maneuverability for avoiding the collision to start with. The Idaho Stop improves safety for cyclists because maintaining speed and visibility through a junction while slowing down cars mitigates the risk of a right hook. Telling everyone that they should categorically expect this behavior and that it is legal improves safety for everyone. I as a pedestrian and cyclist in DC expect Idaho stops from other bicycle users and act accordingly, the same way I expect pedestrians to jaywalk anywhere and anytime they want and act accordingly, and it's all quite safe.