[QUOTE=I-Like-To-Bike]In places where bicycle commuting is considered an activity practiced by normal people of all sizes, shapes and ages, cyclists are aware that a slower/relaxed cycling pace can often save time for commuting at the typical distances. Changing outfits, cool down periods and extra showers necessary in the name of maximizing speed and efficiency and cycling with stripped down lightweight racer-boy cycles does not always add up to maximum efficiency in use of time. Nor is the "pain IS gain" philosophy of cyclist training considered a serious way to commute or get about town.
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I agree. My commute is only 3 miles round trip, and although it's lots of fun on the road bike, it's not worth the hassle of changing clothes and shoes. So unless I'm going for a ride after work, I take the Target MTB with platform pedals, rack, and ridiculous looking plastic basket. All I need is a chainguard. It weighs around 37 lbs plus whatever load I'm carrying, and it's a pretty good workout. But I won't take it on trips of over 10 or so miles round trip. It's just too heavy. I will eventually build myself a better utility bike when I figure out what configuration I want.

I would say in Europe the bicycle is many peoples FIRST car. They only use the car for things that can't be done easily on a bike, like moving furniture. When I spent some time in Denmark the first Dane I met said he commutes in to school because it is "only 7 km". As a non-cyclist, I was floored. Copenhagen was my first experience as a bike commuter, and it was fantastic. Lots of utilitarian bikes, or old "beater" road bikes.