I married for 23 years with three teenage boys. Two years ago, I rode 3 plus days 20 miles round trip to work.
Just tell your co-worker if daddy isn't healthy and the planet is overtaxed, that is not responsible.
You're exercising your rights.
I'm so glad I worked with a ton of road and mountain bike riders. Heck, several of my company's execs rock their motorcycles in good weather.