23 miles is not far if you live in a rural area. some kids bus 90 miles. Bassplayinbiker, if you are contemplating a 23 mile each way commute, you should go do it once on the weekend, to get a feel for how much you like it and how realistic it is for you to do it. I think locking your bike up (and your misguided principal) is the least of your worries. The ride is. Go do it. Do you have a helmet and lights?