my mom has an Element and LOVES it!
She had a RAV4 before hand and was o disappointed with the cargo space (she hauls a lot of furniture). After a year or so she decided to go for the Element and she is so glad she did. She doesn't bike or anything, but I have taken my bike on trips using her car and it's perfect. there is plently of room to haul it, and the fact that the bottom is rubber (?) you dont need to worry about things getting scratched.
I think she gets mid 20's in terms of gas mileage..so pretty reasonable.