Finally. New York City is getting a public bicycle transportation system! The NYT reported that Alta Bicycle System is planning to launch their mainstream bike-share program to the busy streets of New York on April 1, 2012. And, we're dying to know what kind of bikes we'll be able to ride in less than a year. Will they have big handle bars? Pegs? Fixed Gears? We're tingling in anticipation and can only hope the bikes appropriately match each neighborhood station they're parked in. Here's some suggestions:

I'm not sure if it's that people with preexisting conditions flock here or if this town brings out the cray cray in its once sane inhabitants, but L.A. is loaded with unstable individuals. Combine that with urban sprawl where cars are pretty much a necessity for this population, a rush hour that's actually several hours that span across the better portion of the daylight hours, Coffee Beans and Starbucks' that outnumber gas stations, swollen egos and we have an intense and volatile driving situation. And in a city of aggressive drivers who don't care if they live or die, they just don't want to have to sit behind the car waiting to make a left turn, the roads can be a scary place for cyclists. [Photo via] More»

Bicycles: why would you ever want one when you have a car, right? There's no such thing as a bike with air conditioning, for example. But, if forced to be objective, I suppose I can admit that bikes are fun to ride, good for the environment, healthy, and convenient. Really, the biggest drawback to riding a bike is a-hole motorists like myself, who do everything short of throwing a full can of Coke at cyclists in my way when I'm in a rush. Well, I'd better get my act together, because under the new law passed by the L.A. City Council, cyclists are finally protected from me. More»

Cyclists in New York put up with a lot. Maniacal cabbies. Clueless pedestrians. Streets riddled with potholes. Expert thieves well-versed in the art of breaking through Kryptonite locks. Halloween presents the perfect opportunity for local bike enthusiasts to scare off their opponents with costumes more intimidating then their lightweight means of conveyance. So it's perfect that Critical Mass will hold a festively-attired bike tour (starting on the north side of Union Square) around the city at 7pm tonight. More»

[Leonardo Dicaprio riding around Notting Hill. Photos via Getty] Leonardo is on a bike. That's all.  And I'm for some strange reason FASCINATED by it. If you are too, click below for more photos. If you would like to be the proud owner of a bicycle (strongly recommend it) you should read this: [How to Buy a Bicycle In NYC] More»

Step #1: Find someone who genuinely cares about reducing your carbon footprint to take you: These "earthy folks" are probably already members of the "bicycle club, nyc" and will therefore not only know where the best places to buy one are, but will make sure you know the rules of the road, get the best lock, basket, helmet, etc.  My guide was Timothy Polmateer, co-founder of Envirolution.  I met him through Stephanie Wei, who has been teaching me her "green" ways for months now.

Step #2: Make sure you shop around: Go to several stores, and even ask advice from people who know you as to what bike they think would suit you.  I called my friends and sister to make sure I was making the right color choice (I really wanted red but my favorite model only came in baby blue, or dark purple, after much discussion I settled on the retro blue)...More story and photos:

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FROM hamptons.guestofaguest.com: You know summer"s here when you see a bunch of Peewee Herman-esque bikes out and about town. Or maybe its because gas is now pushing $5 dollars a gallon? Anyway, we"ll be trading in our 4 wheels for 2 as much as we can this summer, to save money, to save the environment, and to look super cool of course. More>>