"Now, I would love to see more commuter syle bikes. See dyno and speed hubs become common, fenders, decent racks, and so on. Bikes here are more about sport than anyhing else, and that's slightly sad."
The type of bike you describe are in a few shops, and more are on the way. I agree with your viewpoint that sport takes precedence over practicality.
Here in Grand Rapids, there's almost a sense of pity for people who choose not drive. The prevailing prejudices are:
1. Bikes are children's toys.
2. Only poor people take the bus!
This city is immersed in an "I got mine, now you get yours" mentality.