The thing is, you could pick up a total beater bike for nearly nothing, lock it up outdoors all day at the exact location your public transit drops you off, and use it to get home more quickly. It barely has to function for such a short distance.
I actually do own a bike - a 75-lb monster of an e-bike, inherited from DH when he switched it out for a real bike. I do commute on it sometimes, but not often. The thing that really keeps me from biking is the helmet. It's so exasperating to have to do your hair three times a day instead of just once.
But, you gave me an idea. I always take the bus *to* work, because the schedule is predictable. I usually walk home, because the bus is a nightmare (it once took me an hour and fifteen minutes to get home. yeah, 2+ miles. you can see why I say fuck it and just walk). But I don't have the "last mile" problem; I have only a couple of blocks to walk on each end. So, theoretically, I could walk the bike to the stop, put it on the bus's bike rack, and walk it to work, so no need for a helmet - but then I could ride the bike home. That might just possibly work and would require only two hair sessions.
Before you all laugh at me, I swear I do not have an elaborate hairstyle - I just have a lot of hair that takes a lot of wrangling.
Also, I should add that the bus is free through my employer, so that's not part of the equation.
I will think about it. Thanks, GuitarStv. :)