years ago when i had a 15 mile one-way commute, i was much more focused on distance/time and would always take the most direct/fastest route.

since moving MUCH closer to work (and becoming a father at roughly the same time), i'm all about safety these days. i have a direct 4.5 mile route to work almost entirely along a busy commercial city street that alternates between token sharrows and no bike infrastructure at all, but by going just a little bit out of my way, i have a 5 mile route that's 90% along quiet, lightly-trafficked, tree-lined, residential side-streets.

i choose to commute along the quiet side-street route, even if it does add several minutes to my commute time. peaceful easy riding is MUCH more important to me these days than making every second count.

and since i'm in the thick of the city of chicago, scenery/hills are non-factors for me because those things don't exist here.