I used to do 14 miles one way in Chicago, year 'round. (I stopped because I moved to Georgia, and now my commute involves about 2000' of elevation difference, which is likely around 4000' of elevation change.) If you're not fit, well, that's a pretty good reason to start riding then, isn't it? NYC also has a fantastic public transit system, one of, if not the best in the US, and it's readily accessible by people with disabilities. Much more so than an electric bicycle.