General Cycling Discussion - Can you help me find a bike?

Not sure if this is the spot for this, but I've tried visiting a few bike shops and no one is particularly helpful. I'm new to the sport. I always loved biking, but have never really gotten very involved and have lived abroad in a city where bicycling is near impossible (Delhi, India). I've just moved to what seems a great biking city: D.C. I'd like a bike that's primarily for getting from point A to point B, mainly on flat roads, perhaps a few slight uphills, but nothing major. I'd like my bike to be my primary mode of transportation. I don't want to add another car to our already clogged roads. I grew up with beach cruisers and they seem simple and comfortable, but I'm having trouble finding any in D.C. Are there any suggestions you all have for a good type of bike for me? I really appreciate it!! I've been lurking around the site and hope to get to know bikes better. Thanks!!

What is your budget?

For all around cycling, you probably want something more focused than a beach cruiser, something with more cargo capability.

Specialized's Globe Haul 1 (http://www.globebikes.com/us/en/globe/GlobeBike.jsp?pid=10HAUL1) is about $600.00

http://www.gripsbikes.co.uk/images/L_10Haul1Green.jpg

There are a lot of others in this class.

Primary transportation? Something like this (Jamis Coda series) should work for any type of riding.
http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/street/index.html
http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/images/bikes_page/10_codacomp_sl.jpg

I wouldn't call DC a "great biking city". An "okay biking city", perhaps. I live near DC and for a while my girlfriend lived in the city - theft was an issue. Not so bad as many other cities, but (for example) she got her skewers stolen. And the bike lanes are few - I recall Q street having one (?), but I narrowly escaped being doored three times in one day.

Sounds like the thing you're looking for is a hybrid or a cruiser. Either of the ones posted would work fine. Be sure to ride the bike you're about to buy before handing over money. Also, if there's a choice between shop A and shop B, and shop A has prices that are worse by fifteen or twenty bucks but shop B will spend time watching you ride, making suggestions, and adjusting sizing - go with shop B. Fit/etc. are essential.

Finally, there is at least one co-op in DC (probably more than one.) If you have more time than money, and/or have a desire to really know what makes your bike tick,* a co-op would be worth looking into. They generally have a setup by which you volunteer hours fixing bikes and earn parts by doing so, until after a while you have both a full working bike and a full working knowledge of bicycle repair.

*If your bike is ticking, it's probably the freewheel mechanism.

Thanks so much! I don't have much money, sadly. Was hoping to find something around $300 or less, so the co-op sounds like a good idea. I'll look into that. DC is a great biking city compared to Delhi... No bike lanes. No sidewalks. Sharing bike space with smoke-blowing trucks. This city seems like a dream in comparison!

I forgot to mention that there are several commuter/utility/recreational cyclists in the DC area who post in the Southeast Regional subforum (http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=234) (DC and Virginia folks) and the Northeast Regional subforum (http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?232-Northeast) (DC and Maryland folks). Maybe they can offer some helpful advice.