Originally Posted by KnoxBreezer
+1. I think the discussion here has more to do with "off the shelf" euro-style commuter/utility bikes rather than custom or non-stock assemblies. People who are "into" cycling (ie most of the people reading this) are not the same type who are walking in cold off the street looking for a city transport/utility bike. The problem new riders face is finding themselves with lack of options in the shop (I had to travel 150 miles to pickup my Breezer). Most shops will steer these new riders towards an entry level hardtail mountain bike, or possibly the one or two comfort/hybrid bikes they have on the floor. They will almost never have something with fenders, let along fenders + rack + lights. Same thing happened to me two years ago when I started cycling.
Not sure what type of shops are normally selling Breezers but the local Breezer dealership is our local hardware store. It about 1/2 mile from my house and the only other bikes I have seen there are some high end kids trikes and a huffy single speed cruiser.
I doubt you are going to change the opinions of many LBS employees about what bikes to suggest but perhaps small shops like that hardware store are a good direction to go for utility bikes.
Craig