Originally Posted by Koyote

There are plenty of good, basic commuter/utility bikes out there. Here's one, and here's an even better one. Why would the writer act as if these bikes don't exist, when they do?

I don't know why the article's author wants big box stores to sell them. Consumers are much better off buying from bike shops, which can do competent assembly and offer useful accessories, safety equipment, and maintenance. And then the assembly would be local, as the author prefers.