I have been hassled by the bus drivers more frequently for having a bicycle on the bus. It is fully allowed to take a bike but the driver can charge you a double ticket. I have been looking at the dahon series of folding bikes. These bicycles will fold to the size of a large briefcase have 8 speeds and 20" wheels. I like to think that if I needed to I could cycle home form yeshiva, tramping(hitchiking) when I was able to, this may be part of the solution, once I have the $$.