Dont ride on the streets? Where do you want them to ride? Sidewalk?

And as much as I hate bicycles slowing down traffic, they are a vehicle and they are allowed to take up a lane.

Are you in shape? Is this your first time riding a bike? If you're in shape and you have a committed personality, go with the craigslist bike -- you'll probably benefit.

If you are prone to laziness, and/or out of shape get a cheap bike to build stamina and to measure your level of commitment.

Thats what we do, or neighborhoods. We also have bike lanes in a lot of busy areas too....

Or be a man and get a dirt/mountain bike =)

In most states it is illegal to be on anything other than the street.

I kind of want to get a road bike to tone down and build cardio for long hikes.

If I go for a bike I will be looking into the Giant Defy 3

In that price range $7-900...you are pretty much paying for the frame...the components are pretty much the same across all the big makers, Trek, Specialized, Giant, Cannondale. But Giant usually have the lowest price on that component price range. But I think if you search around, you can get 105 rd and shifters. I dont know about Sora and especially the 2200 shifters

Actually thinking about it...the Specialized Alize or Trek 1.2 is DEFINITELY a better deal than the Defy 3.

i want to fucking cut you


+1 for used
hit up a local shop and get fit for a few different brands frame sizes, ride around the parking lot on a few different bikes, try different styles of bikes in the same brands, get a feel for what style you like
then hit CL and find a used bike with a good frame and go from there

buying new is pointless unless you are dropping $800+
you just wont get anything worth the money, and a bike is an investment, a quality one will hold its value and last a lifetime