I started commuting by bicycle this past May. I worked up to the full distance by driving part way and biking the rest, and in September I graduated to the full distance! So, now I commute to work by bike 17.5 miles each way 3 times a week. Since I do not like to bike at night and because of the limited daylight now, I have to drive into work a couple of times a week so that I can work late and get my hours in at the office. I have a nice ride with about a third of it along a small river and through a park. Another third is on quiet residential streets. Unfortunately, the other third is in busy city traffic.