The question I get frequently, and the most frequent concern I hear, is about riding with traffic and that relates in part to infrastructure. Even when I've been interviewed for local bike-to-work pieces that question always comes up prominently. So regardless of how we, as experienced bike commuters, may feel about cycling infrastructure it's on peoples' minds when they imagine trying it.

The evidence from cities that have improved infrastructure shows that it does increase biking modal share. Granted that a large increase of a very small share is still small, but it does start that positive feedback loop.

The other big question is "how far". I don't see it as the biggest concern since people tend to use it as a opening question to start up a conversation. When asking how far, more often than not they really want to know how long does it take.

The only time people ask me about bikes is when they're seriously considering attempting it. Usually, after getting some specifics, the answer is they don't really need anything special.