[quantumstate]

I have spent the last two years at university cycling to lecture and am now cycling to work. It saves a large amount of money (~£1800 insurance+£1500 running costs). If it rains you just wear waterproof clothing. You can easily get good quality waterproofs (e.g. Gore-Tex) for £200 which will last for years.

You have to be willing to live fairly near to work of course. For me it would probably take about the same amount of time to drive to work. It takes me about 13 minutes to cycle and rush hour traffic will slow a car down.

If I want to go longer distances I can catch a train (and take the bike for the other end) or take a bus. Occasionally hiring a car is also possible for rare occasions.

So for me using a bike is completely feasible for living in a city.