Another option is if you live in a big city and think you live too far from work or the roads are too dangerous, consider cycling to the closest subway station. Here in Atlanta, the subway(and buses) are very bike friendly and allow bikes on both.

I live only 12 miles from work, but unfortunately Atlanta is designed so that you have to take the highway to get anywhere...so I bike 4 miles from my house to the subway, then ride it to the station across the street from my office.

Another option for cleaning up is to join the local gym near your office to utilize their showers and lockers to clean up, then just have a short jaunt to work. Luckily, I have an office gym with full shower and locker facilities. They even do my laundry...