Anecdote. Over the summer my lower ball joint separated on my car, requiring a weekend stay at the shop. I rode my bike in Monday morning to talk to the mechanic about getting it done and to approve the charges. Monday afternoon it was done. My choices were ride the bike home from campus/work, and get a ride to the shop, or to ride my bike to the shop, strap it on the back, and drive home, inconveniencing no one but me.

When I was driving to Boston last summer, I saw more bikes on carriers than I could have eve fathomed. My assumption was that they were vacationers/travelers who wanted to bike once they got to their destination.