I recently became a full time commuter (about a year). I had been commuting to work by motorbike for years but due to a change in circumstances couldn't afford to keep a large motorbike on the road anymore. The decision was a small 125 or a pushbike... So now I'm on my pushbike all the time.
"Commuter" really describes my relationship with my bike... I don't use it for any other purpose... or at least I haven't in the past, I want to start using my bike much more often.
I have been using a Boardman Comp Hybrid, but after a few punctures (I found it very hard to remove these tyres), and aching back from the sharp riding position, decided I needed another bike.
I have just bought this bike and put a basket on (which I'm still not 100% sure of, I keep thinking it's going to bounce off!)
Specialized Crosstrail Sport Disc
While I'm sure both of these bike are considered to be on the extreme end of the starter spectrum... they are both on the extreme end of my budget. The Boardman was put together by Halfords and I've never been happy with it... the Specialized I bought from a proper bike shop and feel much happier about.
The reason I've started getting more serious about the pushbike is that a switch has gone off in my head. I used to find it a chore and something I did only because I had no choice. After some soul searching and a year without the cost and chew of keeping 2 vehicles on the road (I still own a car which my wife uses for work)...
...I've finally started to enjoy biking!