Bike

I'm in a cycling state of mind, and not just because the Tour de France starts this weekend. After a stint roaming around city streets while I was on vacation, I'm hooked on finding the best bike to do the same at home. But as a beginner city cyclist I'm overwhelmed by all the information and choices available. To dip my feet in the bicycling waters, I checked out the bikes at Lombardi's Sports, a local sport shop, and learned some tips from the bike specialists there. The first thing they recommend is to figure out the main purpose for your shiny new ride. Knowing a rough percentage of the time you envision yourself commuting to work or whether you primarily want to use your bike for exercise will help you decide whether a road, hybrid, or mountain bike is for you. Read on for more recommendations for first-time bike buyers.

Run like the wind. Any mama who's visited a park in the past two years knows the balance bike craze is showing no signs of slowing down. The bikes, long a teaching tool for lil ones overseas, have reshaped the way American tykes have learned to ride a two-wheeler.

The latest to join the lineup on the bike rack is YBike ($80), a plastic version of the bike that is designed for the younger tots. With a unique motorcycle-like design, including an extended front fork angle, and available in four bright colors, the bike is sure to catch kids' eyes. The company sent over a fun orange version for us to test. Keep reading to see what I thought.

Who is this product designed for? Though the instructions that came with the bike state that it is designed for tots ages 2-5, it seems better suited for younger ones, probably 2-4 that are ready to move beyond the tricycle.

What sets it apart? The lightweight, injection molded plastic makes for a light bike that can easily be transported to various locations. With two closely aligned rear wheels, the bike is more stable than traditional walking bikes, and it can stand independently, a real plus for teaching lil ones to turn and stop. It can also be used both in and outdoors, making it great for enthusiastic kids who insist on riding their bikes at all times.

What could be better? We found the steering column, and wheels, to be a bit stiff, slowing the biking experience. While this is great for a new rider, more experienced ones may find it discouraging. The plastic wheels also make for a louder, less smooth ride than their rubber, pressurized cousins.

How long did my child ride it? Though my son is used to a metal bike at school, he was very comfortable on the YBike and rode it for a half hour straight.

Would I buy it? If I were buying a gift for a 2-year-old, I would buy this bike in a second! For older tots, who are closer to riding a two-wheel bike, I would seek out a balance bike with rubber tires and only two wheels for an easier transition to a pedal bike.

Share your favorite products, toys, and trends with other parents! Start sharing your opinion on millions of must haves for your tots in our Product Reviews group!

Just before I left for a weekend trip to Portland, OR, I heard about an especially geeky bike path that someone had painted on a newly paved stretch of North Williams Avenue in Northeast Portland. And luckily, the bike path was on the way to an especially yummy brunch spot, so I got to check it out for myself!

The path is painted with stenciled details from Mario Kart — banana peels, shells, mushrooms, and a star at the end. While there were only six or seven designs stenciled onto the street (mostly banana peels), it's a cute touch to an otherwise nondescript half-mile of bike path. Check out the designs in the photos below; I'm not sure how legal it is to stencil art onto the street, but you have to admit it's completely cute.

As someone who lives on her bike, I get seriously bummed whenever I hear that someone's bike was stolen. The former first daughter — Jenna Bush Hager — and her husband had their mountain bikes stolen from their garage last Friday. Making matters worse, the Trek bikes were pretty pricey, totaling $3,500. Not a cheap loss by any means. This whole episode reminded me of the importance of properly locking and storing your bike, something I've become pretty good about. And though I may sound a little paranoid, I live in an urban area where bike theft is not only common, it's rampant.

Here are a few reminders when it comes to proper locking technique:

• Take extra precautions and store your bike inside of your home. Based on personal experience, I know that it's a lot easier for thieves to get into a garage, which is why I keep my bike in my hallway. If space is an issue and you have to keep your bike outside or in the garage, still make a point to lock it up. A friend of mine locks her bike to her backyard stairwell railing.
• Start off with a secure lock. The more important your bike is to you, the better the lock should be. All bike shop owners I know say to invest in a U-lock because these protect best against bolt cutters — Kryptonite is known as making some of the best out there. I also have locking skewers for my wheels and bike seat so they can't be removed with a simple Allen wrench. At the very least, ditch the quick release skewer on your front wheel so it's not an easy target for thieves, or make sure to always lock that front wheel. Also, the less wiggle room in your lock, the harder it will be for a thief to fit a jack inside of it.

To find out the rest of my tips, read more

Tis the season to get outside! Summer is approaching, and what better way to enjoy the fabulous weather than to hop on your bike and go for a spin. Not only is biking great exercise for desk-bound geeks, but it also is a fun way to practice your photog skills — you may discover some picture-perfect sights you can't see from the driver's seat of your car.

Worried about finding a way to get from point A to B? Well you shouldn't be, since Google Maps now offers bike directions on your BlackBerry smartphones (along with your iPhone and Android handsets). Just plug in your destination, choose "travel by bicycle," and Google Maps will not only provide a safe bike route, but it will also show you bicycle-only trails (dark green), roads with bike lanes (light green), and roads that are safe for bikes but that don't have a dedicated lane for your ride (dashed green). This way, you can decide if you want to take the suggested route, or make one of your own. And if you tack on this newly announced Nokia bike-powered charger, well then, you can just ride around all day! Happy exploring!

Get excited because May is National Bike Month! Now is the perfect time to start biking to work, planning weekend bike dates with friends and family, or try out cycling for the first time. The Spring weather makes it even better too. I've already had plenty of days of biking in my shorts, and I haven't needed to bundle up to keep my fingers and toes protected from the cold wind.

In celebration of National Bike Month, why not head over to the FitSugar Community page and join the Sweet on Biking group? It doesn't matter if you ride a fixie or a hybrid, commute, or are a weekend warrior — if you have a love of being on two wheels, join the group! And if you're new to cycling, Sweet on Biking will be an invaluable place to learn more about the sport. See you there!