Do three things: Make sure your bike's OK, find a good place to ride, and dress adequately.

The basic things are brakes, wheels, chain, and handlebars. First, make sure each set of brakes (front and rear) can stop the wheel when you push the bike on smooth, dry pavement. Second, give each wheel a spin to check that it moves freely. Then lift the back wheel and pedal with your hand; you shouldn't hear squeaking or grinding. Next, press each tire against a curb or wall; it should have enough air so you can't make it flat. Last, with the front wheel between your legs, make sure you can't twist the handlebars using moderate pressure. If your bike fails any of these, get it fixed.

Compared to walking, you'll start out cooler (because of wind) and end up warmer (because of exertion). So dress in layers that you can remove once you get going. And put a rubber band or strap around your right ankle to keep your pants away from the bike's chain.

Walk or automobile your bike to a side street, road in a public park, or parking lot that's got little or no traffic. Ride around until you feel comfortable with the bike and how it handles. Avoid public paths at first—too much traffic. And if you're worried about possible strain, take it very slowly—or first see a doctor.

Three ways: First, Urban Bikers' Tricks & Tips shows in detail how to make sure your current bike fits you properly. Next, it describes how to dress for different kinds of weather. And, if the idea of riding on roads intimidates you, my book's got tips for getting comfortable with it.

Get print and e-book versions at http://mrbike.com/ubtt.php .

In the U.S. an estimated 5 million people each year. And over 200,000 new people try it every year.

It can. But you can handle it in three ways: Take more time and ride more slowly, dress cool, and clean up at your destination.

Most people who bike to work don’t shower at their destination, and they don’t offend anyone. If you’re prepared, it’s pretty easy to towel or sponge off in a washroom. And fresh clothes make lots of difference.

You can avoid most wrinkles by rolling your clothes before packing. Or, on days you don’t bike, bring a change of clothes to leave at work.

Because it seems a huge hassle: How do I pack? What route do I take? Where do I park? How will I look and smell? To make it lots easier, first try biking to work on several weekend days, when you’ve no pressure about time or how you look.

I believe you won’t find a better guide than Urban Bikers’ Tricks & Tips. It illustrates, step by step, how to pack your clothes and dress for cycling, even how to bike in a skirt or dress. My book also addresses most hygiene problems—including what to do about helmet hair.

Get print and e-book versions at http://mrbike.com/ubtt.php .

Think of it this way: Do they, or will they, bicycle at all? I mean, not all the time; but sometimes you will no-way wanna go to the restaurant/bar/party/friends’ house in a motor vehicle (whether owned by your date, Hertz, or the transit agency). Do the two of you have potential for such a trip? Ever? If not, well . . . maybe you want to consider dating someone more bike friendly.

Driving your date in a car gives you control. That appeals to some in a romantic encounter, but not me. Having them on a bike can put them on equal footing about route choices, how fast you go—heck, even about leaving without you. On the downside, if you date by bike you have to leave your ego at home with the driver’s license.

Try a tandem (two-seater) bicycle. If you don’t know if how much you’ll use it, it makes for a pretty big investment—so check with your local bike advocacy group about borrowing one (see the "More Info" menu at www.mrbike.com). Otherwise, do what the Chinese and many Europeans do: Let your date sit side-saddle on your rear carrying rack. Your date can hold onto your waist or the back of your seat. And it helps if your rack has a pannier-type of bike bag to keep your date’s legs from getting into the wheel.

Those of us who bike a lot can get kinda righteous and really turn off dates. For example: If you both bike, let your lesser-experienced date lead, to set the pace. Or, if you haven’t yet gotten to that point, agree to meet your date at your destination; then put your bike in their car and let them drive you home. Putting them in the driver’s seat can score you lots of points. For example, once I met someone in a bar who’d driven there in a convertible, and . . . well, you get the idea.

We met for dinner at a Thai restaurant, after which I suggested a bar whose location I sort of knew, but we never found. But while we searched the dark, winterized city streets, I learned a bunch about my date. Like, how she communicates during a conflict (in this case, about how to organize a search). Or the limits of her patience. And her ability to rebound after getting stressed. I don’t think I would’ve learned any of that stuff in a car or on a bus, at least not so soon.

If you find yourself in the bike-in-the-car situation, Urban Bikers’ Tricks & Tips can show you exactly how to do it. It also gives a complete guide to getting comfortable with traffic, if you have a date receptive to a few tips.

Get print and e-book versions at http://mrbike.com/ubtt.php .

Depends on how much you'll ride. If only a few times a year, you'll get by with a generic discount-store bike. Otherwise, ask friends what brands they like and prepare to spend a little more.

For a good used bike, at least $150. For a good new bike, figure $250 minimum. If you're going to park and leave it at all, add 20 percent for locks. And if you start using your bike for work or errands, spend another $30 for a equipment, such as a rack, that'll let you carry stuff.

Again, ask satisfied friends where they got theirs. If you can't get recommendations, visit two or three bike shops near you. Pick one that'll let you bring your bike back within one or two months after purchase, to adjust it and fix any problems.

If you'll use a bike more than a little, don't buy discount. Some discounters don't assemble bikes correctly, and few repair what they sell.

I designed the entire first chapter of Urban Bikers' Tricks & Tips to show you how to find a bike and accessories that are right for you, at good prices. My book tells you how to figure out the kind of bike that suits you, and shows you the different equipment you might need.

Get print and e-book versions at http://mrbike.com/ubtt.php .

The FBI says that over 1,300 bikes are stolen every day in the U.S.—almost half a million bikes a year. And in some big cities, such as parts of Chicago, up to seven bikes are reported stolen on an average summer day.

Usually because people aren't smart about how they park and lock. Most people don't think of themselves as crime victims—so they don't take the simple steps that'd help them avoid theft.

A thief can easily sell any bike that looks good—whether or not you paid a lot for it. So you "uglify"—wrap black tape or inner tubes around the frame. Or paint the frame with dark colors. And whenever you eat a banana, take the label off the peel and stick it on your bike. It's surprisingly simple to make a bike look really gross.

Not if you park in a good place. Thieves don't like audiences, so don't park in isolated areas. And lock to something solid, like bike-parking racks built into the ground. Don't lock to a wooden fence or small tree, or the links in a chain-link fence.

Typical bike locks have been around for so long, thieves treat them like pet dogs—they take 'em out every day. So always use two separate locking devices: A good, strong, U-style lock holds the frame and front wheel. A separate, thick cable with a thick padlock secures the wheels and frame. Seeing this, a thief will attack another bike—one locked with a single lock.

I created a whole chapter of Urban Bikers' Tricks & Tips to help people beat thieves. It gives you the steps to make your bike unattractive, and shows you the many different kinds of locking hardware. It also reveals how thieves typically steal bikes, so you can protect yourself.

Get print and e-book versions at http://mrbike.com/ubtt.php .

Three ways: How you look, how you ride, and how you defend yourself. Appearance-wise, the right clothing can make it hard to identify your sex from behind. You can also avoid riding in unfamiliar areas without a companion. And you can practice defending yourself.

Two things to remember: If the attacker wants only your bike, give it up. And when assaulted, scream "No!" or other negatives, and keep making noise. This scares off lots of attackers.

Lots of women carry pepper spray, but most haven't used it—and many people who do use it get it on themselves. So to practice, go into a wide, open space and try spraying it downwind.

First, always watch pedestrians. If someone looks threatening, cross the street or turn around. Or act like a cop by talking into your jacket or into a CB radio mike that you clip to your lapel.

Avoid patterns that bad guys can detect. Take a different, parallel street each day, or go at different times. And if you feel unsafe somewhere don't stop for any reason, even traffic controls, and move fast.

Goons driving up from behind you might not hassle you if they can't tell you're a woman. So wear loose clothes, like windbreakers, that hide your figure. Put up your hair or tuck it into your collar. And don't wear flashy bike clothes that make you a theft target.

First, if you can't help feeling scared, take a self-defense class. Second, keeping your bike in good working order can make you more confident—because you'll know that if you have to bolt from a tough situation, your bike will fly instead of die.

To research Urban Bikers' Tricks & Tips, I talked with lots of women. They helped me fill an entire chapter with tips for handling trouble. And my book actually shows, not just tells, the ways to, for example, watch out for bad guys, or make yourself look like less of a target.

Get print and e-book versions at http://mrbike.com/ubtt.php .

You can make it as easy as you want. For example, some tour companies feed you, house you, carry your bags, and let you ride at your own pace. Or you can do it all yourself, and rough it.

If you already use your bike to carry stuff and for long rides, taking it might be worth the hassle. Otherwise you can often rent a bike at your destination.

Know the distance you’ll ride each day, and the severity of the hills. Then go out one weekend and ride something similar. See how you feel. But if you’ve health problems, first see a doctor.

Trains and planes can present huge problems if you’re not prepared. Two keys: First, know the carrier’s rules for transporting bikes. Second, give yourself lots of extra time at both ends.

Most of the work has been done for you, by the Adventure Cycling Association. The Association publishes a rich cache of guided tours, self-guided tours, and maps—for both on-road and off-road cycling. Contact the Association at 800/755-2453.

If you’re taking your bike on a bus, train, or plane, Urban Bikers’ Tricks & Tips walks you through it. And, if you want to carry stuff on your bike, my book shows you how. It also contains a resource guide that helps you find information about cycling in different areas.

Get print and e-book versions at http://mrbike.com/ubtt.php .

Yes—but not by as wide a margin as you’d guess. A recent U.S. government study showed that of all daily bicycle trips, over 30 percent (on average) serve utility or transportation purposes.

Because of air and road congestion. Americans don’t use trains, bikes, and their own feet as much as the rest of the world’s population. The U.S. wants to encourage people to get around in those ways, rather than in motor vehicles.

Something big: In 1991, for the first time, Congress carved out part of its road spending authorization to fund non-motorized transportation, such a bicycling. The result to date: Local governments have spent about a billion dollars on bicycling projects—including things like bike lanes, wider bridges, and education programs. Congress increased such funding in 1998, and continued it in 2005.

First, motorists will sit in fewer traffic jams as more people use other transportation modes. Second, as more folks use bikes for utility, governments are putting in even more accommodations—for example, bike racks on public buses, or space for bikes on commuter trains. These things make it easier for you to leave your car at home one day and bike to work.

Cities must certainly fix things, but consider: Most U.S. kids don’t walk or bike to school, yet most of their parents did. But if you ask those parents, most would say they’d like to live in a community where their kids could bike safely to school. Better quality of life: That’s a goal of those who want consistent spending on non-motorized transport.

First, Urban Bikers’ Tricks & Tips shows how to use your bike for utility; for example, it illustrates how to carry stuff. My book also picks up the link between cycling and transit, by showing how to take a bike on planes and buses.

Get print and e-book versions at http://mrbike.com/ubtt.php .

The same reason people drive wildly: They’re in a hurry. The difference for most cyclists, though, is that no one forces them to obey traffic rules. So they don’t think wild riding puts anyone in danger.

In most places, it’s illegal. The law says adults should bike on the street, as far to the right as practical. But if you ride too far to the right, you increase your chances of getting cut off by a turning motorists who doesn’t notice you.

Statistics show that in the U.S., more cyclists get into crashes by riding on sidewalks and paths than on streets. That’s because on the street, most know the rules and follow them.

When breaking a traffic law, a cyclist is as guilty as a motorist—but cops in most places don’t know or don’t care. In places with more folks on bikes, such as business areas or cities in warm climates, cyclists do get tickets.

Two things. First, if you’ve the grounds (and enough information) to call police and press charges, do so. Second is more general: As a motorist, try to give cyclists room on the road; respect begets respect, and it takes two to escalate a traffic conflict to an act of road rage.

I created a very detailed chapter in Urban Bikers’ Tricks & Tips that shows bike riders exactly how to handle every traffic situation. My book also teaches cyclists that they should follow the same rules as motorists do. So when folks read my book, I hope they end up knowing the right ways to share the road with motorists and pedestrians.

Get print and e-book versions at http://mrbike.com/ubtt.php .

To save time and money. If you normally work out to stay in shape, cycling to errands lets you combine exercise with personal business. And by cycling instead of driving, you save gas and wear on your car.

More than you might expect. Your car pollutes the most during short trips, before the engine’s warmed up to peak efficiency. And many of your errands and shopping expeditions are short trips.

I think folks feel uneasy about bike theft and where to ride—but the biggest problem is carrying stuff. But if your have a rear carrying rack, bike bags, and bungee cords, you can carry an amazing load on a bike. For example, I can carry my complete volleyball set on my bike.

In newer communities built around car travel, traffic moves fast. So if you can’t find side streets or paths to your destination, cycling seems scary. But cyclists do ride safely on major roads in these areas, and if you want to you can find a class that’ll teach you how.

In Urban Bikers’ Tricks & Tips I show lots of ways to carry things on your bike. I also tell you how to get comfortable with traffic, including the best ways to pick a route to your destination.

Get print and e-book versions at http://mrbike.com/ubtt.php .

Statistically, it seems so. But you can avoid most of the danger if you illuminate yourself and your bicycle properly.

At a minimum, you should have a white headlight in front and a red reflector in back. But to be safe, you should have a bright blinking light in back, and reflective material (such as a safety vest) on your torso.

Most cyclists who get into crashes at night get hit from the front or sides. That’s because motorists look for other vehicles’ headlights. So under streetlights, you need a headlight to be seen, not to see.

Don’t bike at night if your visual acuity’s worse than 20/40 with corrective lenses. Also, don’t do it if you can read a far-away sign or address okay in daylight, but not at night. If you’re not sure, visit an eye doctor.

Urban Bikers’ Tricks & Tips shows you exactly where and how to use lighting and reflective material. It even tells you what to look for in a good headlight.

Get print and e-book versions at http://mrbike.com/ubtt.php .

Many believe that if you fall and hit your head while bicycling, a helmet can help protect you from brain injury.

In some place, yes. In the U.S., about a third of the states have laws that apply mostly to children. But many towns have their own laws.

In a crash, your brain gets injured when it smashes against the inside of your skull. Helmets work by collapsing in an impact, bringing your skull to a more gradual stop.

Look for two things: certification and correct fit. First, if the inside of the helmet has a label from the Consumer Products Safety Commission (in the U.S.), the helmet will protect you. Second, you should be able to adjust the helmet’s straps and cushion pads so the helmet doesn’t move.

Urban Bikers’ Tricks & Tips shows you how certification labels look, and how to get a good fit. My book also tells you what to do about a common complaint: helmet hair. Many people I talked to found creative ways to manage their hair, so I’ve included their tips.

Get print and e-book versions at http://mrbike.com/ubtt.php .

Bikes make fine Christmas gifts—but you should never buy a bicycle for someone without them present to try it on. Like clothes, bikes fit people very specifically. And different bike styles don’t suit everyone. A bike rider can find this out only if they ride the bike—and they should do this before, not after the purchase. So if you buy someone the wrong bike, they might end up having to spend a lot more time at the bike store than if you’d simply brought them along in the first place.

For adults: Get them a gift certificate from a bike store. Figure $200 minimum, and $400 should set them up fine. As for kids, they probably won’t appreciate a gift-wrapped certificate. So get them the bike some other time, then for Christmas get them a really nifty helmet. Click here for some guidance.

If your gift recipient doesn’t have a favorite bike shop, ask for a recommendation from other friends who bike, or contact your local advocacy group. If you can’t get recommendations, visit two or three bike shops near you. Pick one that lets buyers bring their bikes back within one or two months after purchase, to adjust it and fix any problems.

If your gift recipient will use a bike more than a little, don’t buy discount. Some discounters don’t assemble bikes correctly, and few repair what they sell.

Bicycle retailers get a little busy before Christmas. So if you want the best attention you could wait until January when things tend to get really slow. But if you must buy that bike in December, you’ll likely get the most attention from a retailer if you visit during the business day rather than weekends and evenings.

For novice or infrequent bikers, get them a handlebar bell or a cushy bike seat. For more frequent bikers, get them a $25 LED (light emitting diode) headlight (from bike shops) or adjustable bungee cords (from auto parts or hardware stores). For racers or hard-core riders, ask them the name of their favorite bike shop, then just go there and get them a darned gift certificate. And my book, Urban Bikers’ Tricks & Tips, makes an ideal gift for any biker, because it contains hundreds of practical, completely illustrated cycling secrets.