you don't need special shoes and pedals. many of us "real" cyclists don't have special shoes or pedals.... you don't need a jersey, you don't need special clothing. you may find that you like bike shorts for longer rides... but a lot of us don't use a lot of the stuff that you're "supposed" to have and we get along fine. Just ride. a helmet is probably a good idea to start out. make sure you have a frame pump and a good floor pump with a guage on it. get a water bottle and cage. a patch kit and a few tools. learn how to patch/change a tire. if you're commuting, you might want to put a rack on the back. there's not much you "need" for riding a bike. enjoy!