I want to ride my bicycle

1. Set a budget. Hard to steer you to something without some idea of budget.
2. Look for one that fits.
3. The rider is more important than the bike. A good athlete on a low end bike can still fly.
4. Avoid any that that won't roll.

There are lots of possibilities. Single speed cruisers can be a blast and are very simple. If your area is hilly, these may not be ideal.

Stop by your Local Bike Shop to get some good guidance. They should ask a lot of questions since there are a myriad of different possibilities.

Asking what bike I should buy can really only be answered by: It depends.

I bike commute so most of my riding is on the street, but I don't have a "street" bike. I bought a used hybrid cruiser for $175.00 from a local bike shop. It's not exactly light but I can lift it onto bike racks on public transportation. I'd recommend finding a good bike shop with trustworthy employees and test riding a few used bikes. They should be able to point you in the right direction based on your budget and needs.

Good luck!

ETA: I also recommend learning how to repair and maintain your bike once you have one. It will save you on labor costs and it's really helpful to know how to fix a flat and get the chain back onto the cassette. I took a repair class at my bike shop and bought a manual.

My daily commuter is a Trek 7.1FX (http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/fitness/fx/7_1_fx/). It is a hybrid and cost me around $450 new 5 years ago. It is lightweight, which was critical when I had to bring it inside and up a flight of stairs every day a few years ago.

Besides craigslist and eBay, check out your local bike forums and bike shops and ask around about used bikes. There are shops that are dedicated to rebuilding older bikes, and you can get one for 250-500. The frame may show signs of wear, but other components will be new.

One other place to check, if you are not choosy, is a bike rental place. Once or twice a year they sell off all their rentals for cheap (under 300). They aren't beautiful, and they've got plenty of wear and tear, but they will get you from A to B for less money.

I know you are in NY, but for anyone in the DC area that is reading this:

The Old Bike Shop in Arlington, for vintage rebuilds
Phoenix Bikes in DC, for used rebuilds
Bike and Roll, who sells off rentals for nearly nothing, but infrequently

I live on a boat so a folding bike works for me. Make sure you have enough gears for the type of riding you will be doing. Give the bikes a good ride before buying. My husband bought his folding bike through eBay and I have trouble riding it due to my angle over the handlebars so do your test rides.

bicycle, bicycle, Bicycle race. I want to ride my bi cy cle, I want to ride my bike. I want to ride my bi cy cle I want to ride it where I like............................gyah...

I actually love that song, but not in my head *side eye*

Consider some older bikes like RALEIGH, FUJI or PEUGEOT. You'll save a lot by buying an 80's model and most are great bikes.