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Disclaimer: I don't bike, although I used to occasionally commute to work via a kick scooter when I was in the mood, or when there was something wrong with the subway. Your other points notwithstanding:

> You may have to be confident/experienced/macho enough to ride among traffic and navigate big multi-lane junctions.

But not so much if they're closing large areas of the city to cars, right?

> You have to own a bike you're happy to use. [...] You have to plan out and learn a route. [...] You may have to figure out how to store your bike at both ends.

It occurs to me that this applies to cars too, and cars are an order of magnitude larger and more expensive. So it's mostly a cultural change.

> You have to be fit enough for the distance you need to go. [...] You have to be willing to shower and change at your destination, or not do so.

Would an electric bike help with this? Lower level of physical exertion = less sweating.

I doubt anyone will want to cycle after reading that LOL. Jokes aside you raise loads of good points. With respect to covid-19 I doubt many would want to use communal shower facilities. I wouldn't. In places like London and many other cities you can always rent a bike. You do also have the flexibility of using public transport if its pouring with rain. But it is big issue. With regards to theft..my solution was to get a cheap bike after having my entry road bike stolen. And I now lock the wheels as well LOL. And I've upgraded my lock. Never looked back! LOL

Reading to Paddington can be done in 30 minutes by train, but takes 4 hours by bike

I don't think anybody is suggesting that, in fact I wonder why you even raised it.

Because I agree with chosenbreed37's point that some people are "just too far away from the office to be able to cycle"

And if I'd chosen a non-ridiculous number for my example, someone would have 'corrected' me by telling me they cycle that far. I've met Londoners who have a 2 hour cycle commute, by choice because they love cycling.

You also have to have somewhere to put the bike while not in use. Bike theft in London (before social distancing at least) was common.