Talk with Mikey C all he does is bike in Austin. I am sure he has some good info on Austin Bike stuff for you.

This is true ! ... I call him once every few months, but we never seem to actually get together .. I miss MikeyC

so how's .. ehh I'll talk to you later

spandex. lots and lots of spandex.

:(

Cute is a big factor :) And and and... a Hello Kitty bell like mine!

All I was going to question is, the distance you intended ride. Basically with my bike, as a 1-speed cruiser, I really can't be taking any long-assed rides. I mean I can, but it's definitely not like having at least a 3-speed, with respects to changing gears when hitting a hilly area.

I spent $350 on my bike alone, new. Then I bought a U-lock, a bell, a front and tail light... and a basket that I still haven't put on. So there's always accessories.

Lotsa luck.

Three miles goes pretty quick, and if you're on city streets, it's not going to make much of a difference between road/mountain/hybrid. So I'd say just to go with whatever feels comfortable. I'd go to a bike store and get an idea of fit and stability, first, then use that info to buy used. Stay away from anything rusted on the gears or chains, make sure the brakes work, and avoid any brands you could buy at Wallmart (Huffy, etc). I'm a fan of Specialized, Trek, Felt, Electra, LeMond, Bianchi, and maybe Cannondale.

Lights are dependent on if you need to see (i.e., no streetlights) or be seen.
See: http://www.rei.com/product/751757
Be seen: http://tinyurl.com/3853sa

And a lock, of course, if you're going to keep it outside.

I would highly recommend a little plastic windmill to tape to your handlebars, and a pink Hello Kitty horn.

These are crucial for a successful commute.

Everything that Gnat said goes for me too. I've been hitting local shops lately looking for random gear and I've been impressed with how much bike you can get new for under $400. My best advice is to go with a good, solid aluminum frame that you can build o and upgrade as you learn more and want/need more.

Oh, and as far as helmets go, the Skid Lid is one of the few that fits my giant head it seems. Bear in mind that almost all guys bike stuff tends to run one size small. The Skid Lid L/XL fits me perfectly and my hat size is 7 1/2.