Hi All. I've been lurking here for a long time, and now I have some questions. I love the idea and looks of the Swift, and I'm trying to decide if I should pull the trigger. I don't know much about bikes, so bear with my stupid q's

I'm a commuter, either 6 or 14 miles each way, depending on whether I ride the whole distance or take the train. The ride is a flat straight shot (chicago's lakefront path). Right now, I do it on an old, light mtb with slicks. The whole ride takes me about an hour on the way there. A little longer at the end of the day.

1) Will the Swift be faster? I'm in decent but not superb shape and I'm tired of being blown past by people who look even less fit than I am, especially in stupid lakefront headwinds.
2) Not a dealbreaker, but can you put a rack and child seat on a swift?

The longer version of these questions has me going back and forth between the Swift and something like a Bianchi Castro Valley. I could probably get away without the fold, but the fold helps for a variety of reasons (not least is small storage space at home). I just don't want to feel like I'm paying a big speed penalty. Thanks for your advice.