Hey jitenshadds, like you I am also looking into a utility bike and I live in queens. Currently, I commute about 10 miles a day and I have a single speed Bianchi Fremont fitted with a rack and panniers(mostly use 1). This keeps my commute light weight, Low maintenence and very fast. There are many times I would like the additional carrying capacity but I definitely would NOT trade my bike for a cargo bike. I recommend you get a commuter bike maybe even with gears in addition a hybrid or mountain bike with a xtracycle kit. I know it's actually two bikes but they will each do there job very efficiently. Metropolitan all the way down? watch the car doors! its not very wide and a bit of traffic in some parts. My commute is Queens blvd (aka boulevard of death) and that gets my adrenaline going for sure.
