Thanks to all for your advice.
I have more specifics if that will help.
I attend a college where the bike park is in the front of the building and is monitored by security and surveillance. I intend to buy a U-lock and a seperate lock for the bike to be attached to the bike parking. To ensure security I spoke to one of the security guards and he told me they caught a few perpetrators that go after the bikes that are loosely attached to the metal frame with flimsy locks that can be cut. The bike theifs often go around with a cutter in they're backpack posing as a student, and then making a quick cut to run off with the bike. My plan is to get ample protection in order to dissuade the theif, as well as put it in a direct spot in front of cameras and security. Also i will register my bike and take pictures for additional security. I also plan on mounting my bike in my garage and having it under lock and key.
woooh that was tough.
Back to the main issue of the commute.
The commute i make is from queens to long island city, which according to google maps is an hour by bike.
Knowing NY, the roads are rigged with cracks, working zones, and lots of traffic. Also weather can be unpredictable at times. I want to take as much precaution as i can. I dont want to end up as a statistic.
I saw this bike as a beginner and affordable bike for me, any thoughts ?
Amazon.com : Vilano Aluminum Road Bike 21 Speed Shimano : Road Bicycles : Sports & Outdoors
If you think i should go with something better, please, i need any help i can get.
Another think im worried about is my height. As i stated in my original post, i am 5'6", so would a 50 cm be good for me, or a 54?
Thanks alot for all the great people who were quick to help out !
There are a few different types of road bikes. For commuting a cyclocross or touring bike can be good choices. A cyclocross bike is a specialized type of road bike designed for light duty off road racing. The biggest advantage they have over a standard road racing bike is that they can take wider tires which will smooth out the bumps. A touring bike can also take wider tires, is designed to haul a lot of stuff, and has a less aggressive riding position. Touring bikes typically aren't going to be as exotic looking as the road bikes you're probably thinking of. Cyclocross bikes may or may not be.
There are also flat bar road bikes and road bikes that are designed more for the weekend warrior than the serious racer. Some will have mounts for racks and fenders which many commuters feel are required equipment.
If I were you I'd just go to a bike shop and try out a bunch of different types of bikes, - including some hybrids and see what you think. Other things to consider are where you're going to keep your bike, how you plan to carry your stuff, and what the road conditions are like. Is it going to be locked to a rack where it might get banged around by other people locking up their bikes? Are bike thefts common at your school? Do you want to do longer rides on the weekends?
The other thing to consider is your budget. Because of the more complex shifters road bikes tend to be more expensive than other types of bikes. It's a generalization though. A low end road bike is still going to be a lot cheaper than a high end mountain bike. It's also the reason I mentioned a flat bar road bike. Flat bar road bikes can use less expensive shifters while still having the lively feel of a road bike. They (generally) cost less and some people prefer flat bars anyway.