There's a reason motorcycles are common in the summer in WA State, but very rare in the winter. You'll arrive completely drenched if you're not in a car. Not only is there rain, sometimes sideways rain, but also lots of roadway spray. At times, there are "greyout" conditions where you can't see more than 100 feet down the freeway, for all the water in the air.
Seattle's former Mayor Mike McGinn used a bicycle to commute, and often arrived at city meetings as a sweaty and smelly person. Most businesses don't have a shower for bicyclists.
Most businesses don't have a shower for bicyclists.
Which is exactly the point. Why do business have endless space (theirs or public) for people to park their cars, yet don't have the minimal infrastructure for two wheel commuters? Because the conversation surrounding mobility is still mostly about cars.
I’ll agree that motorcycle use drops off dramatically during the winter in WA. I did a gig at a large coffee comapny’s corporate HQ, and in the summer motorcycle parking was packed and finding a space could be difficult. In winter, there were days I’d be the only bike.
But one does not have to get soaked. It’ll take $1000 worth of gear, but I arrive bone-dry every day. Aerostich Darien, good boots, decent gloves. Finding a place to hang the dripping gear when you get there can be a problem.
In the end, gear or not, as what some consider to be a “hard-core” rider I will say it’s still easier to toss the bag in the car and turn the key on a rainy day. Which wraps us around to what I take to be your point: for all-round use and convenience in all conditions, it’s hard to beat a car. Unless one lives close to work in southern California, there are plenty of scenarios where one better be “dedicated to the cause” to use alternate transportation year-round.
Seattle's former Mayor Mike McGinn used a bicycle to commute, and often arrived at city meetings as a sweaty and smelly person. Most businesses don't have a shower for bicyclists.