I biked commuted all through college and that is what got me interested in cycling. I'm still going 40 years later and commuting 30 miles/day to work. You will get some resistance from family, friends, etc., but that will gradually go away if you stick with it and demonstrate that you can cycle safely. You can buy a decent bike for the money you would spend on a crappy car, and over time you will save much more money on maintenance costs, gasoline, insurance, parking, etc. However, your family is probably more concerned about your safety. You can ease those concerns -- and protect yourself -- by making safety a priority. Get a helmet, a decent light system (front and rear) and some bright neon yellow clothes. Obey traffic laws and learn how to avoid cars.