you have a lot of good advice here. i would ask your parents to come with you and talk to a ride leader at a local club. you are in NYC and surrounding vicinity? i ask b/c you mention citibike. perhaps we can connect you.

also in a group, it's safer (provided you follow the peloton general rules) than on your own.

NYC and surrounding areas is really blowing up in bicycling these days. the infrastructure still has a ways to go, but it's moving in that direction which is good for all of us.