Our agency moved to a new complex way out in an industrial park, but just off one of the local bike trails last August. A 27-mile commute for me, one-way... Plus, if you don't bring your lunch, it's a 7 to 10 mile round trip out to the nearest local fast food joint or restaurant. The hospital next door opened a cafeteria back the middle of last month,and that proved to be a key ingredient for me, at least. I'd been bike commuting two or three times a month just for the change in pattern, but last month I got after it in earnest. I drive to a commuter lot on the south side of town (12 miles), park, unload the bike, and then ride the last 7 to 9 miles (depending on the exact route). Keeps me off the freeways and beltway, which are major gas savings. I usually burn a little more than 3/4s tank of gas on the weekly commute, when I bike commute at least 4 out of the 5 days, I use only a little more than 1/4 tank. Significant, when it's a Dodge Ram pickup...

Several others in our little biking circle have gotten serious on the commuting trend, and several other co-workers are doing it a lot more often.

I used to not see anyone else out there when riding in, but now I pass quite a few folks out on their bikes with backpacks...

Tom