Wow, thanks for all of the help so far. I'm starting to narrow down the gear I am going to need from the suggestions.

Beer

Got my sister bringing up 5 cases of shiner bock which can't be found in NYC so I am set there for a few weeks at least.

Pedals

Really am starting to like the Look Keo Easy Pedals. Any views on those?

As far as clothing goes I will start with some warm biking pants, a long sleeve jersey, warm headgear, gloves, and some booties to go over my shoes. I have a really great running jacket that should work great for biking. Still need to go try on some shoes to figure out what I like.

Probably will get the Garmin 500 as my cycling computer. Seems like a fun little device.

Will get the saddle bag and repair kit along with a bike and home pump.

Definitely will get front and rear lights as I plan to do my weekday riding early in the morning or late at night in central park.

Thanks again for the help.

i started bicycling-as-a-hobby as a cliched broke college student, now i have titaniums parts and wool jerseys and helmet liners and arm warmers and co2 pumps and other doodads.

they are all frill.

what is essential, for hobbyists, is to have:
-home pump
-few spare tubes + patch kit
-allen toolset (really, you only need about 3 sizes)
-lube
-blinkies

niceties:
-saddle bag
-computer

the rest, stock up incrementally as your interest and budget allows

There are a lot of good suggestions so far.

Bike pump - I've had good luck with the Topeak Road Morph. It has a hose, a gauge, and a foot peg, which make the on-the-road repair easier.

I would add tire a boot(s) to the list. Park Tool makes a good one. The boot is used for blow-outs, when the tire (not just the tube) bursts, rips etc. The boot is designed to get you home and not much more, but they do that job admirably.

I never said you wouldn't notice a flashing light. I said that it can confuse drivers. Is it a turn signal? Is it therefore slowing down? Or is it an emergency vehicle? Is it stationary? Is it moving?
A confused driver, even though they see you, is not safe.

Flashing lights are noticed faster, and allow the human eye a better depth/distance perception.


I have KEO pedals, and I just rode home from my aunts house in my nikes 9 miles and had no problem at all.

Huh?

I'll tell my friends at Ford and GM to put them on all their 2012s.

It's a bike light. On a bicycle. With a person riding it.

+1

If bike lights are generally brighter (or the bright ones more affordable) the flashing wouldn't be needed. As most bike lights are, though, they're too dim to be noticed sooner. Unless they're flashing.

Besides, aren't flashing lights on cars generally either amber (hazard and turn signals) or red and blue (emergency vehicles)?

A turn signal and a flashing LED light are two different things, if they appear the same to you perhaps you should visit the optometrist.

Before you say anything MY BAD (I'm so ashamed I think I'll call my Momma and cry) copied the wrong one here ya go!

If this new rider could read all the way through a paragraph, he would have seen that I was providing an alternative (that I think is better) to the two sided pedal or mountain bike pedals. You can still use normal shoes with Speedplays if you put the platforms on, and you'll always have pedals that are two sided. DUH!