Fresh air, exercise, extra cash in your pocket -- you know the benefits of swapping your car for a bike every once in a while. But as the country gets more cycle-friendly, your trusty two-wheeler could become your default mode of transportation. If you're looking to haul kids, groceries, or just yourself to the office, there's a bicycle built for you.

Manufacturers have introduced bikes with comfy seats and features such as built-in baskets, racks, and lights. "It wasn't long ago that a woman who showed up at work with a bicycle would be looked at as a total weirdo," says Leah Shahum, executive director of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition. "That's no longer the case."

In fact, bike wonks say the number of female riders indicates a city's cycle-friendliness. "Women are at the center of this movement," says Caroline Samponaro, director of bicycle advocacy for New York's Transportation Alternatives. And they're incorporating bikes into everyday life without suiting up for the Tour de France. "People think you need to wear special clothes and buy a bunch of gear," says L.A. bike commuter Molly Arevalo. "It just isn't true. You need a bike and a helmet. If you get more into it, you can buy the extra things."

Whether you want to run errands, ride to work, or tote the kids, we've got the tools and tips from real cycling converts to get you started.

(We know -- helmets are important! Our bikers took theirs off just for the cameras.) 

The commuter: Molly Arevalo, 34, teacher

Why she rides: "My job is about 7 1/2 miles from home. Biking in the morning energizes me." 

Best tip: "Sweat isn't as big a deal as people think. Bring an extra shirt and maybe deodorant. I wear my hair in a ponytail when riding and then take it down or put it in a bun."

World NX7 by Schwinn: This seven-speed glides over potholes and keeps you clean with fenders and a chain guard. $550; rideschwinn.com

Waxed Canvas Panniers by Laplander Bags: These roll-up saddle bags look as good over your shoulder as they do on the rear rack. $195; laplanderbags.etsy.com

Women's Daily Riding Pant by Outlier: The double-weave twill fabric is stretchy enough for riding and still work-appropriate. $180; shop.outlier.cc

Developed by mountain-bike pioneer Joe Breeze, who set out to create the ultimate safe commuter bike, the Villager has 27 speeds, fenders, a heavy-duty rear rack, and front and rear lights powered by a hub generator so they stay lit for several minutes after you stop.

Villager by Breezer, $1,019; breezerbikes.com for stores

The Fort Knox of locks, it has a hardened-steel shackle with a double dead bolt that resists cutters and anything else a thief might try.

New York Lock STD by Kryptonite, $89; kryptonitelock.com for stores

Turn a dial on the top to tighten or loosen a wire band that wraps all the way around the interior. No more pinching or strap wrestling.

02 Helmet by Lazer, $120; performancebike.com

It clips on to your handlebars and includes a built-in solar panel that gives you 2 1/2 hours of light, plus a rechargeable battery as backup.

Hybrid by Cateye, $60; cateye.com for stores

This nylon pack has a padded compartment for a laptop (up to 15 inches), a cell-phone pocket, room for documents, and a breathable back to keep you from sweating.

Lightweight Sport Backpack by Caselogic, $55; caselogic.com

Much sleeker than a poncho, this waterproof jacket will cover your butt -- literally. (It's longer in the back.) It also has reflective details.

Women's Touring Jacket by Showers Pass, $150; showerspass.com

The errand runners: McKenzie Hoffman, 23, media assistant (left), and Susan Jang, 28, media buyer

Why they ride: The friends ride together while shopping.

Best tips: "Equally distribute items in the front basket to keep from wobbling," suggests Jang. "It's easiest to store heavy things over your back wheels," Hoffman says.

Belleville WSD by Trek (at left): This three-speed holds a ton and is made of eco-friendly materials. $660; trekbikes.com

'Round Town Bike Pannier by Novara: Has handles and folds flat. $40; rei.com

Townie Euro 8i by Electra (at right): It has eight speeds and a cargo rack. $999; electrabike.com for stores

Quick-Release Wicker Basket by Electra: Can carry up to 11 pounds. $40; rei.com

A classic Dutch bike, its fancy features include a leather spring saddle, a chain guard, built-in fenders, a heavy-duty rear rack, a hub-generator light, and a spoke shield on the rear wheel to keep a dress from getting caught.

Toer Populair Lady by Gazelle, $1,349; dutchbikeco.com

Recycled from old inner tubes and event banners, these can hold all your market bounty and attach and detach easily from a rear rack.

Grocery Pannier Eco by Bontrager, $200; bontrager.com for stores

These handcrafted beauties are made from hardwoods like mahogany and maple in Woody's garage in Bend, Oregon. Each one is signed and dated.

Custom Wood Fenders by Woody's Fenders, $119; woodysfenders.com

It brilliantly includes eight tools (four wrenches, a chain tool, two spoke wrenches, and a screwdriver) that snap together to become a quick-release skewer.

Tulio by Pedro, $40; pedros.com for stores (available midsummer)

Because it has a handle and slides on and off its mount, it also makes a great shopping basket.

3133 WH Bike Basket by Wald, $28; rei.com

The Mom: Jeania Schilling, 43

Why she rides: "I started using a bike with a trailer to avoid traffic when bringing my daughters [Ella, 6, and Cate, 3] to school, and now I'm so much happier, and so are they. The movement relaxes them, and I'm my best after a ride." 

Best tip: "The safest route might not always be the shortest. I started going the same way a car would go. Cars were whizzing by, and I thought, 'Oh, my God!'"

Live 03 Bike by Globe: Has stop-on-a-dime disc brakes, a steering-assist device to help control large loads, and a wood-bottomed rack. $1,550; globebikes.com for stores

Adams Original Folder One by Trail-a-Bike: Best for kids ages 4 and up, the trailer hooks securely to an adult bike's seat post. $199; trail-a-bike.com for stores

Section Helmet by Giro: Lightweight, vented, skater-style protection. $45; amazon.com

The Cafe 8 is an eight-speed with a seat that leans forward slightly to help you pedal harder and faster. It also has a sleek -- yet sturdy -- rear rack and even a cup holder on the handlebars.

Cafe 8 by Felt, $569; feltbicycles.com

The Coronado Cruiser shoe isn't just cute. Its smart design includes a strip of sticky (recycled!) rubber under the ball of your foot for a better grip on the pedal.

Coronado Cruiser by Keen, $80; keenfootwear.com

It won't shed a drop (even when it's upside down in your purse); the innovative bite valve seals tight unless the bottle is squeezed.

Podium Bottle by Camelbak, $8; camelbak.com

Safer than those toddler seats you attach to the frame, the sidecar lets you see your kid at all times and stays grounded even during quick turns. It takes seconds to slip on and off.

Side Carrier by Chariot Carriers, $500; chariotcarriers.com

The kit includes six no-mess self-adhesive patches that bend and flex with the tube, sandpaper (to roughen the surface), and three levers (to get the tire off the bike). 

Tire and Tube Repair Kit by Park Tool, $5; parktool.com for retailers

This mini pump inflates with impressive power, thanks to a hose that pulls out of the handle.

High-Pressure Drive Hand Pump by Lezyne, $35; amazon.com/sports

The right gear won't do you any good if you're not following basic road rules. Wear your helmet, know where you're going, and don't get "doored" by motorists who aren't paying attention. These important tips may save your life.

Erstwhile Talking Head and conceptual artist David Byrne is also known as a die-hard cycling advocate who has used bikes as his primary transportation around New York City for nearly 30 years. Lately, the author of Bicycle Diaries" has been at the forefront of the bike-everywhere movement, speaking at advocacy meetings and even designing whimsical bike racks shaped like coffee cups or stilettos. Read on for some of his directives for a better life through biking.

(Cover image courtesy of Viking, copyright 2009)

Get online before you hit the road: These sites offer advice, gear, and the most up-to-date info.

The Alliance for Biking and Walking (peoplepoweredmovement.org) is a coalition of more than 160 nonprofit advocacy groups across North America.

To try cycling without buying wheels, check out the Bike-Sharing Blog (bike-sharing.blogspot.com).

Recently, Google Maps (maps.google.com) rolled out its "bike directions" feature, which specifies dedicated bike lanes, roads, and trails and gives turn-by-turn instructions.

The late Sheldon Brown's encyclopedia of biking knowledge (sheldonbrown.com) is perfect for beginners who don't know a chain from a crank arm.

For cycling fashion tips, head to Copenhagen Cycle Chic (copenhagencyclechic.com).

$5,713: The average amount of money you could save each year if you used a bike instead of a car, according to the American Automobile Association and Transportation Alternatives

2 percent: Percentage of people in the United States who commute daily by bicycle (though more than half of Americans live less than five miles from where they work), according to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey and U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration

410: The average number of calories you can burn per hour while pedaling at a moderate pace, according to the National Institutes of Health

Get commuting and riding tips from other Whole Living readers -- and add your own -- in our online community.