I live in suburbs with no centralized shopping area/town center. This means that there is at least a 5 mile trip to do simple things, like buy groceries or mail a package, etc. While this doesn't matter to me in terms of riding, I have noticed that it makes a difference to other people. Road infrastructure and driving culture here are not bike-friendly, there is only one LBS in a 25-mi radius. I have to say I agree with [MENTION=152773]noglider[/MENTION] about government incentives for sustainable transportation. If the town I lived in had bike lanes, MUPs or any other type of infrastructure designed for bicycles there would be a real difference in daily cyclists. Additionally, there is no public transportation here. No buses at all.

I think that when the conversation about commuting by bike comes up, it's important to think about the vast differences in culture and infrastructure that are possible. Some people in city centers or particularly progressive areas might have access to better bike infrastructure and culture that enable a better and more friendly commute than some of us living in suburbs, rural areas or in between.