It is common in Los Angeles to ask where someone lives. If two (or more) candidates are neck and neck, often small things like who lives closer will be the deciding factor. I'm disheartened to hear that some employers may be considering mode of transportation in addition to location. In the current economy this shouldn't really be a surprise though...there are more qualified candidates than there are positions in most industries, so seemingly banal, inconsequential, or unfair assessments frequently come into play.
On the other hand, there might be some positions where riding your bike to work could make you seem like a better "fit" for that particular job - best wishes on running across one of those employers!