Since the rains have stopped, I have been using the bike for more of the short trips I make during the work week. I am lucky that I live close enough to work that riding is a viable option for my commute.
Truth is, I hate riding a bike near the cars and trucks. Even ignoring the safety concern, motor vehicle noise makes it pretty unpleasant to share the lane. Once in a while I hit the road really early – getting into the office at 7 AM – and the light traffic makes it much nicer to be rolling along on a bicycle.
On the other hand, any time I drive my car rather than cycle the 3.5 miles to the office, I end up wishing I had taken the bicycle. I sit behind the windshield, wishing something on the radio could make the experience even half as rich as a bike ride would have been.