Try out various ebikes! I use the Transit app which has a bike section that should try and put you on the safest routes in your city. If you buy a bike with a rack, get a pannier or two, they can carry groceries, laptops or beach supplies no problem. Many places with little car parking have bike racks, such as parks, beaches, and small businesses.

Invest in a good ulock or thick chain for protecting your bike! Doing a 20 mile trip to work could be a bit ambitious at first, but start with smaller bite-sized trips, and work your way up (or supplement it with commuter buses or regional rail, if there are options. Bikes + Transit go together!)

A very common mistake is to commute what you'd drive. In many cases you'd do better on paths and neighborhood streets. For example, maybe part of an unavoidable highway segment has a frontage road. Hop off onto the frontage for that segment, even if it's technically 60 seconds slower.

Google Maps is a decent start, though imperfect in detail (routing through a busy park on footpaths, or not routing through a park that has a good dirt path). Use street view and OpenStreetMaps to explore ways that auto routing won't pick.

+1 to the suggestions on starting with shorter trips. They'll work out any kinks in your setup and give you time to become confident on your bike.

This may be obvious, but buy a helmet. It's likely you're not getting paid for your good looks but for what you know/can do, a helmet will protect that best.

As for the biking itself, weekend trips, chores, shopping, etc will get you started.

As for getting to work, are there alternate paths? You likely drive the highway route because it's faster, but there may be a less traveled route that isn't much worse but not fast.

20 miles one way is going to be a rough commute to start. I agree with other comments about riding for fun to get the setup right for you and build endurance

I don't know if this is feasible for you but maybe get a bike rack and drive part way, park somewhere public and ride the rest of the way in?

Get a gravel bike (fatter tires). Start by riding on weekends, either doing chores like shopping, or just short rides of a few miles. Be sure to go to a bike shop and get them to help you adjust seat height, stem/handles height, and other "bike fit" things to make the ride comfortable. Get lights for the front and back.

If the roads are truly highways, you will want to check the laws where you are to confirm if it is legal to ride your bike on those roads. Typically, bikes are not allowed on highways. Regardless, you may want to see if there is an alternate route available. Riding on high speed roads with moderate to heavy traffic is not something I like to do if there is a different option available.

As someone else suggested, a gravel bike may be a good option. Personally I would avoid an e-bike. Nothing wrong with them, but if the goal is to get exercise, then why get a bike that is designed to minimize the amount of work you have to do? It will be tougher in the beginning while you get used to it, but once you do, you'll be fine.

By far, the single most valuable resource available to new riders is a good local bike store. Find one and talk to them about what you're trying to do. They'll be able to make recommendations that are right for you. They'll also be familiar with the roads in your area and be able to offer good advice about potential routes.

I'd say go to a bike shop and try out some e-bikes. Find one that fits and that you enjoy riding, and start taking it for fun rides! I'd highly suggest a rack and some panniers (saddle bags) for carrying stuff - it makes it way easier to run errands and stuff via bike.

20 miles is a big bike commute, and riding on the edge of the highway isn't super fun. But as others have said, maybe there are alternate routes. A 25 mile route through paths/side streets would be way more enjoyable than a highway shoulder.

Good luck on your biking endeavour! It's a great addition to life.

I think e-bikes are great especially if it gets you out riding. That's what really matters. What will get you to ride and look forward to it? You still get exercise from ebikes as well as you can just turn down or even off the assist while riding.

I'd suggest playing around with different route profiles for your commute on https://bikerouter.de/ (based on Brouter), like "Safest" or "Minimal Traffic", I've had success with finding calmer routes using this tool. Can make your commute much more relaxing too!

Other people are going to have better suggestions, but I think electric tricycles are underrated just don't bomb corners as fast as you can.

https://electricbikereport.com/best-electric-tricycles/

https://www.radpowerbikes.com/products/radtrike-electric-tricycle

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dWkYxV8wdpk&pp=ygUJI9mB2LLZhNmI

There are basic mechanical advantages to a classic tricycle with an electric drive, and it has all got to do with the transmission, the transmission is placed at the heart of the vehicle right below the rear cargo rack just rear of rider, this is why flat ground range can be so high with some of these otherwise unremarkable looking vehicles. In terms of converting electricity to torque in the rear wheels an e-tricycle can be thought of as a drag racer, and any cargo you add in the rear cargo bed increases grip potential for the wheels which among other things translates into more efficient battery power consumption per unit of mass moved.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=obHlYo9RINw

https://electrek.co/2025/06/03/meetone-tour-full-suspension-electric-trike-review-the-most-powerful-and-most-comfortable-e-trike-yet/

Bicycle people will often frown at the idea of a classic tricycle and especially as electric vehicles I think it isn't fair to the design, it isn't a high performance vehicle meant to fit through tiny gaps or bomb hills. As an everyday practical vehicle on the other hand... I think it makes a ton of sense regardless of who you are.

Lots of supportive great advice here. My only two adds here are:

1. there is actually a guidebook for biking safely. Very much similar to a driver manual. The SoCal Bike Associative used to have it posted years ago but look that up and give it a read.
2. find a local recreational biking group on your region and ride with them. There should be one that's beginner friendly. If you can't find one immediately look for a bike build community. We have a few in my city. One called Bike Kitchen. They teach you how to repair your bike and introduce you to other new riders and experts who love teaching.