If you find you enjoy it and will be riding any distance or frequency, make sure the bike "fits". A seat a little too high or low can cause a lot of grief. I bike a fair amount- it's good exercise and with gas the way it is, I'm thinking of riding to the store more often (even though it's only a 3 mile round trip).

As said before- always, always wear a helmet. You might look a little cooler without one, but you'll look really uncool drooling from a serious head injury. And they do happen.

 

Thanks everyone for the great advice and wisdom. It's been a month since I first posted this and I've been up to my dainty eyebrows with work, so I haven't had a chance to look for a bike, any bike. I might just go to WalMart or something and get a tricycle. If it doesn't work out, I'll put it on Craigslist and keep looking for something else.

Who has the right of way on regular city streets: the car or the bicycle? I have found myself behind a bike many times, but because the left lane is full of cars, I had no choice but to plod along at 5 mph all the while staring at the bicyclist's butt and wondering when my butt is going to look that good!

 

Bikes typically have right to be on the road. Courtesy, all too lacking on both sides (auto and bike) would seem to indicate a bike should pull as far to the right as is safe for the bike. They must obey all stop signs and light.

Personally, I don't like riding in big groups (although I do a occasionaly) because:

1. they tend to pack up and **** off the auto drivers by being 2-3-4 deep from the side of the road. They'll argue it's safer- BS. It's discourteous.

2. Packs, when close together, require a lot of attention, a little judgement, some communication, and a modicum of skill. If you go out on large group rides you are trusting that people you may or may not know well have these items well in hand. They may not, and when one falls, a bunch others may go as well. Plus you have to concentrate, so it's not as relaxing.

It is a great, healthy hobby.

Two other key rules-

1. don't assume the car sees/saw you, and,

2. don't expect the driver to do the right thing, always be a little ready for a bonehead move.

Other than that- enjoy!

 

Vagabound I don't know where you work or how old you are but you have been denying yourself and your childhood by not learning to ride a bike. Call in sick tomarrow go to a good bike store and learn to ride. A trike is not the answer unless you are physically handicap in some way. Good luck, wear a helmet and plan on buying some band-aids as well.