The other thing missing from your NYC <-> Dutch comparison is the bike. Those Dutch commuter bikes have chain guards or fully enclosed chains; sounds like yours doesn't. You can get one that does, if you look in the right places with an adequate wallet.

But for my 8-10 mile ride, with hills, and heat and humidity, you betcha I change. Once I grew up and figured I didn't have to wear soggy clothes all day, I grew to like them dry!