I just rode my bike to work for the first time since moving to a house ~7 miles away!
It was a warm 32 degrees this morning. I live in an area with cold winters (and once in a while snowy, but mostly cold) and have been too much of a complainypants to start riding a bike to work, even though I've been wanting to for a long time. I have a road bike that I ride recreationally, and went for a long ride this weekend and thought "screw it, I'm going to do it."
Where I live reminds me of the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana (from Parks & Rec). Lots of pickup trucks, lots of people who would say "you can't bike in this town!", and lots of cars all on the way to work. There are a few main arterials that one would drive on to get from my house to work, and they're busy 4-lane roads in the morning and after work. Lots of people have said to me, "Oh you can't ride to work those roads wouldn't be safe!"
So, I took different roads. It was amazing. Several nice, quiet streets adorned with cute little houses all the way to work, only a few blocks from the main arterial roads. I barely road next to any cars the whole way. And for when I did, I had my flashing red lights.
Honestly, I think this was the best commute I've ever had. It took me 15 minutes less than the bus, and was 10x more pleasant. Thank you, bikes.