A number of reasons. I first got intrigued by recumbents when I saw an article in Popular Mechanics in the mid 60's about the Groundhugger, a recumbent bike. Then I was fortunate enough to be a spectator at the First Human Powered Speed Contest in the mid '70s and got to see recumbents laying down some wicked speed runs.

More recently, as a comfort present after my ex asked for a divorce, I bought a Giant Stiletto chopper. A bike without real purpose, but it looked good and I enjoyed riding it around. That led me towards the next step, a full recumbent. I also had some concerns about the pressure that spending so much time on the saddle was putting on certain parts of my body. So, as my present to myself for paying off all the bills from the marriage and the divorce, I splurged on a Bacchetta Giro 20.

Since then, my commute has gone from 3 miles to 9.5 miles, and after getting everything adjusted, I find it's a good long-haul cruiser. And it handles well and because of the short wheelbase, if necessary, I can toss it on the bus.