I don't think you have to spend $1000 to get a good bike but I also don't think it is too much to be honest. I use my bicycle as my primary mode of transport and I really love my trek fx1. Edit to put it in perspective most people in my country would have two cars for the size family I have. We have one old paid off one we almost never use and the cost of this thousand dollar bike was less than the cost of insurance, registration and basic maintenance for one year on a second car we don't have to pay for at all.
I don't think you have to spend $1000 to get a good bike but I also don't think it is too much to be honest. I use my bicycle as my primary mode of transport and I really love my trek fx1. Edit to put it in perspective most people in my country would have two cars for the size family I have. We have one old paid off one we almost never use and the cost of this thousand dollar bike was less than the cost of insurance, registration and basic maintenance for one year on a second car we don't have to pay for at all.