If you are new to cycling, or haven't updated your bike since you took off the training wheels, here are a few suggestions for finding a good bike near you.
When buying a bike, either new or used, be sure to have someone fit you to the bike. Pay special attention to frame size, seat design, and the angle of the handlebars and seat when shopping for a bike. Always ask for a test ride to make sure the bike fits both you and your riding style. Consumer Reports offers a bike buying guide with tips for shoppers. Once you purchase a bike, do not forget to register your bike in order to help identify it as yours in the case of a theft.
If you aren't interested in owning a bike, check to see if there is a bike-sharing program near you that allows you to pick up a bike at a designated location and ride it for as long as you need it, for a fee. Boston, San Francisco, New York, Washington, and Boulder, Colorado, are among the US cities that offer bike- sharing programs. Bike sharing can be a good option for visiting a city as well, with many bike-sharing programs offering single-ride or day rates for visitors.
Still need some inspiration? People for Bikes, a cyclist-rights organization in the US, has a series of YouTube videos dedicated to professional cyclists talking about their first bikes.