When I first had my son commute with me(he was 10 or so) 5 miles each way to his school and my work whichi is close he used his BMX bike. He is still mad at me, after he discovered how much easier it was to do the commute on my mother in laws old road bike (now his fixie). you can do it but it is a ton more work.
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Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can.