Get any bike you buy anywhere serviced at your local bike store. Better yet, buy your bike there. Trek and other big-name brands have some reasonably attractive city bikes (maybe not quite as pretty as the Jorg&Olif).

Your local bike store is an important component of the bike culture ecosystem. J. Crew and Design Within Reach will serve a very narrow market or maybe drop bikes when it stops being fashionable, but your local bike store will be there for all riders all the time.

Two weeks ago, we were in our nearby cyclery buying my seven-year-old son's first multi-speed bike. While we were there, a family of four got outfitted with four new bikes, helmets, gloves, &c. And, a Saturday racer-type guy was getting measured for a fancy custom frame. And, a woman was buying a bike so she could start riding again after 20 years. And, a mountain biker was getting new tires. And, ...

You get the point.

Though I get sticker shock seeing the price of things made in Europe

Why not buy a classic bike that's been made right here in Queens since 1898?

http://worksmancycles.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/page32.html

They lack a bit of the style, but small-wheel folders make fantastic urban bikes. The companies that make these, and the retailers that sell them, aren't doing enough to promote them. I don't get it, but I look in the windows of most city bike stores, and I still see racing-inspired full size bikes, not new thinking for city riders.

My folder has been used as a daily commuter since August. It will pay for itself in saved subway fares sometime in July.

If I have errands, though, then I gotta carry the chain with me.

And I always carry the u lock regardless; it's not heavy.

My combination of a big chain + a U-lock has always prevented theft, but once my back wheel got messed up when someone tried to steal it, since they didn't NOTICE the black u-lock securing it to the frame.

So if your locks are not brightly colored, make sure they're at least conspicuous.

Also if you make the same commute every day, consider leaving your chain at one of your parking spots rather than carrying it everywhere. (you may have thought of that already, but it took me more than a month of riding to think of it!)

Anyway, for those of you who are enchanted by the Dutch bicycle design and are looking for something more affordable, I found some on eBay for around $500.

We saw them at a bike shop on Varick Street.

RC

These urban beauties are now available in the US through http://www.dutchbikes.us

This Victoria model has been featured in Vouge and Elle fashion magazines

Finally, it's doable in a suit as long as your riding a practical upright 3-speed city bike like the Jorg&Olif (or Batavus, Raleigh, Pashley, etc).

I'd NEVER ride in a suit on my Italian road bike.

As long as the ride is only minimally hilly and less than 5 miles, I can tell you from experience that it is perfectly doable. However, I might loosen the tie for the ride.

Still, I'm glad to see truely practical bikes becoming more popular.