Imagine waiting at the bus stop and the next Muni indicator says the bus is coming in two minutes... wait, twelve minutes. Hold on, now it says seventeen minutes. When you are finally on the bus, your nose is greeted by the stench of Haight Street gutter punks while your lungs fill up with stale air. Thirty-five minutes later, you reach your destination. Your friends ask you what took so long; they have been here for twenty minutes already. Their shoes are off in relaxation. Hell, it is even time for a second beer run. How did they get there so fast? They rode their bikes.

If you are thinking about joining the fourth highest biking population in the United States, here is your guide to city cycling.

The first step to biking in the city is, of course, obtaining a bicycle. With bike shopping, there are two main things you want to consider: the best type of bike to fit your needs, and the price that fits your budget.

Most cyclists in the city have three types of bicycles: multi-speed, single speed, and fixed gear. "With geared bikes, you can control your environment. If there's a steep hill, or a gradual decline, you can adjust your gears to account for the different gradations," explains Kevin Showkat, a 21-year-old UC Berkeley graduate who has been using his bike for transportation for about two years.

A multi-speed bike has multiple gears a biker can switch between in any given situation, which makes riding up and down hills a lot less tiring. Single-speed bikes tend to refer to a bike with one-gear ratio. Because of the simplicity of one gear, they are easy to maintain and build. "I usually recommend gears to a beginner," says Michael Morgan of bike shop American Cyclery Too near Haight Street. "They save your knees in the long run."

Fixed gear bikes are also a type of single-speed but lack the freewheeling mechanism that allows for coasting. "If you were to pedal and release your feet from the pedals, you will see that the pedals will spin in unison with the back wheel," explains Michael Garcia, a bicycle enthusiast at San Francisco State University. Many bikers prefer fixed gear bikes for the endurance and strength it takes to ride because a fixed gear does use more muscle than any other bicycle. "You should also watch out when making sharp turns while riding a fixed-gear," warns Seamus Coyle, a 27-year-old native of Pacifica who has been riding since he was six years old. While "being forced to pedal, you may wind up forcing your pedal into the ground and your bike into the air."

For the first bike, expect to spend at least $300-$500. "Spending any less would essentially be a waste of your money," says James Stafford, who also works at American Cyclery Too. "For every additional $50 or $100 you spend, your bike will have a lot more value in the parts. Take your time and test ride as many as possible. If you like the feel of a bike and it is more money than you expect, save up."

Next, make sure you find a bike that fits you, and remember that a bike must be proportionate to your height. Be cautious of buying used bikes, as the cost of repairs may be as expensive as a new one.

"Older bikes may be worn down," says Stafford. "In a perfect world, we all want Grandma's barely touched, [in] perfect-condition bike, but that rarely happens." Also, advises Garcia, be sure to think about how your bike is materialized, as steel is sturdy for impact riding, but aluminum is a lighter option. "Avoid buying a bike solely on color and looks," says Garcia.

While at the bike shop, make sure to take a look at accessories. "As a bare minimum, a helmet, lights and a good lock is needed for every biker," says Stafford. A student thinking about biking to school will need panniers or a messenger bag that also straps around the waist to carry books and homework inside. Water bottles and a holder is also an ideal accessory. Remember to think about the weather, with winter right around the corner, think about getting clothing that will help keep you warm on rainy and windy days.

When getting to know your bike and riding it in the city, familiarize yourself with the San Francisco Bike Map on the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition website (www.SFbike.org), which showcases the easiest ways to reach your destination. Ride with friends and become acquainted with the Panhandle and the Great Highway. Golden Gate Park is also a great place to learn to ride in the city, especially on Sundays when cars are banned during the day. "It took me about a year before I knew I could ride around the city with confidence," says Garcia. "You also need to make sure you know your signals and right of ways when dealing with traffic. You may feel comfortable riding with traffic, but that doesn't mean that traffic is comfortable riding with you."

Lastly, know your resources. SFbike.org and Sheldonbrown.com are great places to look for bicycling information. San Francisco has an abundance of local bike shops with people eager to answer questions for those new to cycling. Also, take advantage of classes that are held at many shops that teach part identification, maintenance, and other important tips for owning this new investment.

Remember, even after you are done shelling out nearly a thousand dollars, there are many upsides to owning a bike. "With a bike, you don't have to worry about parking, parking tickets, or the financial burdens of insurance and registration," says Coyle. "Riding a bike can be really fun as well, whether you're riding it leisurely or blisteringly fast!"[X]