[z2]

Agree--there's a sweet spot in distance and terrain as well. I bike to work every day because the round trip is a smooth 6 miles on dedicated bike paths. If this were any longer, or on the city streets with traffic lights every block, I'd think twice. Perhaps part of China's situation wasn't just the prestige of owning cars, but that most people's commute ranges expanded alongside the economy, beyond practical range for (pedal) bikes?

[mc32]

Yes, lengthening of commute distances, I’d venture are a factor. Weather might also factor in, depending on weather conditions (temps, precip, etc).