I think it doesn't seem a totally odd choice in the UK partly because the public transport is often pretty poor (London is a huge exception to the usual UK situ

I think it doesn't seem a totally odd choice in the UK partly because the public transport is often pretty poor (London is a huge exception to the usual UK situation). Certainly here in Cambridge I'd choose a 6 mile cycle over the bus every time. But then I enjoy my (4 mile) cycle commute; I don't think I'm particularly representative. The right fix is for the buses to be better.