If commuter bikes get more people onto bicycles and out of their cars - YAAAAAAAAAAA!
I can tell you that lots of folks go into a bike shop these days and think that nothing in the entire shop even remotely looks like a "bicycle" as they know it. Does this keep lots of them from looking (or riding) any farther? Probably. If commuter bikes sell, fine. If they don't, then we'll all get more of the same that we've been getting over the past decade. Me; I'd prefer the variety.
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Nishiki road bike, Raleigh road bike, Electra Cruiser Lux 7d, Electra Townie 3i, Electra Townie 1, Whatever I find today!