I live less then 5 miles from work, but both cycling and public transportation are not optional due to the shitty design of the roads and shitty drivers.
To cycle, if have to cross a light where the highway just becomes a city street, so people are doing 65+ in a 40 and often run the light. I’m honestly hesitant even in my car.
To take public transportation, I’d have to cross that same intersection, then cross a bridge over the river, with no sidewalk, and the same bat outta hell drivers. I’ve seen a single car wreck on this bridge where the car was on its roof. Then it would be an hour long bus ride filled with transfers to get ten minutes by vehicle away.
All this to say, I feel this message. I’d love to drive less, because I really don’t enjoy it. Unfortunately, the reality of my area doesn’t really make this possible.