Thanks for all the information guys. Yes I do have a safe route planned. I have driven it many times and there are either designated bike lanes or wide shoulders. Some of the roads I'll be riding are popular biking roads so there are always bikes on them.

The electric assist sounds cool, but way past my budget unless it's around $100.

I won't be doing the whole thing to start with. I will be driving to work and then riding home, then riding back in the morning. This is going to give me a great idea if it can be done more often. I have also spoken with work and they are willing to work with me on how late I stay. This could mean me leaving at 4 which would put me home about the same time as taking the car and leaving at 5.

Thanks again for all your help. I'll let you know how it goes once I'm able to start this.