I don't think I'm going to die 20 years early just because I don't bike to work. Heck, since MOST americans don't bike to work, the average age probably takes that into account anyway. So, are you saying I should expect to live to 98 if I bike? I think the average age of 78 is just fine. Due to my neck issues, I'm guessing my quality of life isn't going to be great at that point anyway, and there is nothing biking can do about that. Heck, every year I lived past 17 was a bonus, since easily could have died then.
Not biking to work isn't going to guarantee I need some sort of chronic meds. This is just a ridiculous argument.
I can (and do when possible) use the time saved by not biking to work out in a form I enjoy. Why waste time biking if I don't enjoy it at all? If my commute is shorter, I can then go to the pool after work to swim, lift weights, row (in the summer), cross country ski (in the winter), or do a cardio workout tape that is fun.
I'm HAPPY I recovered an hour a day by shortening my commute from my previous job. Most of the time I use that time to workout, sometimes I use it for other things, but now I get to use it as I see fit, rather than have to use it getting to and from work.
Maybe on nice days I'd enjoy biking to work, but it isn't a priority to me. That it is out of reach right now doesn't mean I complained about anything. Did you not see the part that said when the weather gets nicer I was thinking about practicing the route on weekends? How is that complainy/defeatist? I'm opening an avenue where maybe I could bike, on days I feel like it adds value to my day. My car commute is 10 minutes. That is nothing that needs to be "fixed".