Yes, it is more work to stop and start at a red light, but there are other trade-offs as well. In particular, if a cyclist can "get through" an intersection BEFORE cars in the same & opposite direction start moving again, it is easier to negotiate the intersection: The cyclist doesn't have to worry as much about the infamous "right-hook" of turning motorists. This requires, of course, that the cyclist has correctly assessed cross traffic.
Unfortunately, some personality types just can't handle the fact that cyclists openly subvert "the rules". I don't think that explaining _why_ cyclists do this is going to work on them, regardless of how pragmatic the cyclist behavior is.
Unfortunately, some personality types just can't handle the fact that cyclists openly subvert "the rules". I don't think that explaining _why_ cyclists do this is going to work on them, regardless of how pragmatic the cyclist behavior is.