I was in the same boat as you for a long time. I live within a reasonable commuting distance (10 miles) but was concerned about the safety issues. There are no bike paths where I live, and my car commute is on busy roads with lots of traffic. Last fall I decided to try bike commuting one day as part of a local campaign to reduce driving -- either through carpooling, transit or bikes. I chose my bike. I took some back roads that kept me away from the busiest roads, but still didn't feel safe enough to make it a regular event.

This past spring I decided to try bike commuting again as part of the Bike to Work week events. This time I did more research on routes and found some roads that avoided 90% of my concerns about the traffic. So basically, out out a 10-mile commute (one-way), about 1 mile is on a road with enough traffic that it makes me nervous. After riding that route for a few days, I decided the stretch of road wasn't as bad as I built it up in my mind. However, I also wear very bright jerseys and have flashing lights in the mornings when daylight is low.

Once I got over that initial hurdle, I've been bike commuting regularly -- usually about 3 days a week. Since April, I've bike commuted more 1,000 miles and saved more than 50 gallons of gas. Lately my biggest problem has been the extreme heat, but that shouldn't last much longer. I usually carpool on the days I drive in a car, so I'm actually driving to work only about 1 day per week.

My total bike commute averages about 22 miles each day. On the days I drive, I bring in clean clothes and other supplies, and bring home my dirty laundry. I am fortunate in that we have a shower in my office building, I don't have be sweaty and smelly all day.

Bottom line, it's worked much better than I imagined, and I'm bike commuting more than I ever expected. I also have more free time after work because I've already finished my exercising for the day when I get home.