Is just a seat cover sufficient for leaving it out in the rain? I was planning on getting a full bike cover, but seeing as the bike rack near my work is under cover, I guess it wouldn't be a big deal to just cover the seat, and I'm not crazy enough to decide to ride anywhere else in the rain, lol. And I have a garage for storing the bike.

Gloves are a good idea, I can't believe I didn't think of that. O.o I remember when I was a kid my hands would get SO raw riding my bike around.

My bike comes with a little bell. Definitely getting something nice and loud for these drivers around here; half of them are on their phone the entire time. As far as dogs, we don't have as many roaming around; it happens, but it's not common enough that I worry about it. I would have worried about it in my old neighborhood though.