I'm inclined to agree with
@grldtnr: the more I find out about recumbent bikes the more I realise how lucky I was to stumble across my LWB Linear. It was adaptable enough to be able to fit me, and to be able to be altered (bodged!) to get it the way I wanted. If you are of average height (which is something I can only dream about) it will be easier, or less hard, to find The One that does the job. I have looked at a few bikes since I started this recumbent lark with a view to finding one that combines the virtues of the Linear with a bit more handiness and transportability but haven't quite got there yet. It's surprisingly versatile. It even does mild off road quite well. For commuting in heavy traffic, it might do the job but it wouldn't be enjoyable on a regular basis. The only thing that I can say is that on any recumbent, with two or three wheels, you will be given loads of room, but you won't be able to nip through gaps in traffic the way you would on an upright bike. It's actually an inch or two wider across the handlebars than my delta trike, as well as being 88" long. Together with under seat steering it wouldn't appeal to everyone. For me, for longer trips especially, it's great.
I'm evaluating a HP Velotechnik Spirit at the moment which has many attributes which might make it a useful urban recumbent -easy to get on and off, easy to get your feet down, over seat steering, etc. There are probably many recumbents out there that would do equally well. I'm no expert, and there are many frogs that remain unkissed.
Other than finding a bargain on
ebay and taking a chance that it might suit (it worked with the Linear, didn't work with a Dawes Lowrider which I ended up selling), I could have saved a lot of aggravation by making an appointment to visit Kevin at D.TEK in Little Thetford, Cambs on one of his open days and tried several different recumbents. It might involve an overnight stay from Lancs but feedback from others sug street machinegests it might be worth it. He contributes to this forum occasionally as
@MrMagoo. I hope that he wouldn't mind me putting business contact details here -D.TEK Recumbents 01353 648177 and Email :-
dtekhpvs@btconnect.com. You might have to be persistent. He's sometimes hard to get hold of.
Hope that helps.