It's a problem of one-size fits all thinking. Many people buy cars for their most extreme needs, ie an SUV when most of their driving is long distance commuting but they need a Family Truckster to vacation in.
The
Zeitgeist movement proposes that people save on resources by down playing ownership and just "rent" items or get them from an object library when they need them.
The bike would be a very important part of an appropriate transportation system because it covers your bases with many of your short distance trips.