From a European perspective (I use car/bicycle/train/longboard), a few pointers rather than a pro-con/list

• The more people use a bicycle, even casually, The more it put pressures on local politician to do something

• For short distances (<5km) in town, it’s faster than the car

• Gloves are more important than helmet, on the couple of fall I got, gloves protected my hands, while my head didn’t hit. However, if you’re in a severe accident a helmet can make the difference so I still recommend one.

• Beware of your clothe, if you wear black, at night, without lights, you call for problem, and I can see how even good faith motorists can hit you.

• Paint isn’t infrastructure but at least remind the motorists that you have the right to be there. I can see how the mayor call the infrastructure director and ask them for bike lane without any budget, but it sucks

• Be a bit agressive, and look for eye-contact before passing between car, keep distance from parked car, they can open a door, If you don’t think a car can pass you with a safe distance (small urban streets) stay in the middle of the road, and stop to the side when you can to let the car pass you.

• A backpack, or bike pack helps a lot carrying groceries, not really an excuse

• The problem isn’t that much the winter (unless you live on a really cold place) but the rain, good clothe can help, but still.

Music: use bone conduction headphones

I tried biking in a city awhile back, and someone actually tried to hit me with their door.

Any city that thinks its a great idea to share the road on a bike has never personally tried it.

You have the elitist weekend cyclists on 15-20k bikes and the casual commuter folks all rolled up in one list. Not the same crowd.

One con not mentioned: Exposure to the elements. Being able to ride a bike comfortably in the weather depends on where you live. Prolonged exposure to the sun even with sunscreen is not good. Also, air pollution.

Edit: Lol at the downvotes. I invite you all to bike in my state in the almost 5 months of sweltering heat in our summer. I’m not anti bike at all and I wish more people would do it. I just wanted to remind people that you also have to be equipped for the weather of the place you will be biking at. Also, I do not like melanoma.

If you’re going moderate or short distances in a city, odds are it will literally be faster to bike, even at a no sweat/leisurely pace.

Average speed of commuter traffic in cities is sub 20 kph.

apparently my city literally literally banned public rail funding

How to say you’re in America without saying you’re in America

Legit medical issue for men, doing it too often can negatively impact your performance in bed, IIRC especially if you ride on unpaved terrain a lot.

I’ll just comment on the con list

• look like an annoying dork (esp w neon - which also hurts the quaint factor)

You don’t have to wear Lycra to bike commute. Comfy shorts, T-shirt and trainers is fine

• have to wear a helmet (^)

Get a decent helmet, it’s way less annoying when the helmet is breathing well and sits on your head properly.

• getting sweaty, potentially “unpresentable” for work

Yeah this is pretty annoying. Best advice I can give is to have your stuff sacked into a bag attached to your bike (handlebar bag, pannier, etc). Backpack prevents the airflow in your back and causes ton of sweating

• still have to find safe parking

No comment on this one, as European I’ve never found myself in a situation where parking a bike is anything but fine

• still takes a while

May take longer but is 267% (I measured) more fun than a car

• have to find new routes to places

This should be a pro

• can’t listen to music or might die

Headphones with transparency mode on are great for cycling

• little meaningful protection against severe injury

I’m pretty sure I’ve seen seen studies suggesting bike commute lowers the chance of injury on average due to the health gains. Or something, not bothering to search for it now. Also I think this might be a bit eurocentric, since the bikelanes are not that great on many other places

• can only carry so many groceries/etc

If you plan on carrying a week worth of groceries for a family of 3, then cargo bike might just be for you. Otherwise, daily shop visits for what’s needed are fine with bicycle bags or basket

• sucks in winter

Attitude issue. I love cycling in winter

I wear the same clothing when I am biking and not biking. The clothing is by no means a requirement.

Rebuttals to a few of the cons:

• don’t dress like an ‘annoying dork’- unless that’s your vibe, no need to change anything to ride a bike.
• you don’t ‘have’ to wear a helmet. Though there are some less bulky, big, or wherever this cons comes from. Probably best to wear one.
• no need to go fast and work up a sweat, or e-bike as other have mentioned. There may be financial rebates available. Other commuter tips include: bring extra clothes, and wet wipes to clean up once getting to.
• until a matter transporter comes along, it takes time to go anywhere.
• you get to find new routes. Find new shops, new neighborhoods, new parks. Feel like a part of you community. Not locked in a metal box or tube.
• bone conduction headphones, or other non noise canceling headphones
• there are bikes, racks and bags in any combination that can carry all sorts of groceries.
• no bad weather, only bad gear. I’d say heat of summer is worse than winter.

little meaningful protection against severe injury

This is why I’m an advocate for seatbelts for bicycles.