i ride a mtb, both on the trail & for my commutes/fun rides/errands. co-workers go out of their way to let me know they saw me someplace. ne indiana, city of 200k+, only marginally bike-friendly. sidewalks are allowed most areas -- i'll do what i hafta to keep going. my commute was about 20mi/day, but i changed locations, and the trip went down to 5+; i started real quick looking for the long way in and the long way home. the only part of the ride i don't love is the idiot driver that thinks he can bluff me out of his way -- and there are a few. somebody once wrote that, for the first 250 feet, they're as fast as Lance Armstrong. for me, the first 50 are the reminder that i'm not burdened by feet on the ground. it gets better as i leave the driveway for the street, and stays good until i have to put a foot down again. a few times, i made the whole commute without dabbing!
BTW, i don't even own a car anymore....