Hello and hope you are well. Find out if it is okay to bike with your condition. Your commute is pretty short so no worries. I get vertigo from time to time from ear infections but have not had any trouble on the bike even though my doctor said not to drive a car when I have the dizzies. I saw an interesting episode of The Nature of Things last night-about how the brain can retrain itself. A woman's brain had been damaged which affected her balance. She took part in a scientific study on brain research that retrained and healed her brain and now can ride her bike everywhere after she was reduced to living in a wheel chair!

You don't need to spend much. My favourite bike is an old raleigh 5 speed that I got for the price of a movie date in the UK. I'd invest in a quality second hand bike while you are starting out. You will probably become addicted and eventually end up with several bikes. Like everyone says fenders, bike rack, panniers, LIGHTS, helmet. I wear my regular clothes, but I do have a gortex jacket and pants for rain/winter. This may be too girlish but silk is amazing! Much like wool it wicks away moisture and keeps you warm. Silk undershirts, yes indeed! Cotton gets wet and stays wet which is bad if you are riding in the cold. Take a shirt to change into for work etc..