What kind of bike is good for me?

I'm looking for an easy bike to ride from my house to work. I will be attaching a child seat to it and thats what I'm having a hard time figuring out. I haven't been on a bike in years and I think its time to take it up again. I was thinking a beach cruiser but where I live there are a lot of hills. Does anyone have any suggestions as to a good bike for a mama and a child?

Get a bike from Walmart. They are excellent bikes, perfect for a young family. Plus, they won't break your budget. get either a mountain bike or comfort bike. They have wider tires, so they are easier to balance a moving baby on safely. A beach crusier would be a wonderful choice for you and your family. Just slow down the number of times you peddle on hills. Another choice would be a comfort bike. These bikes have multiple gears, so you can downshift for going uphill. They are also designed for comfort. You will enjoy many summers of bike riding if you get a comfort bike.

Try looking at Walmart, Target, or any local discount store for a selection of good comfort bikes (perhaps mountain bike, if your concerned about the weather or go off-road) at a good price.

Visit a dedicated bike shop (LBS) and tell them how you wish to use the bike. They'll give you a rundown on choices will work for you. No xmart.

Then, before you even consider putting your child on the bike with you, go out for plenty of rides to get yourself familiar with the bike and with cycling again. With a child riding with you, there is no safe margin for error. You want to be completely familiar with your bike's handling properties and your ability to react to the unexpected.

Personally I would never buy a bike from Walmart or any big box store. You definitely get what you pay for. However, budget concerns are always a factor. If you take some decent care, a cheap bike is may not fall apart on you.

I think a bigger concern is what you carry your child in. The common seat carriers that mount on the rear of a bike can be unstable. On that type of carrier your child will be sitting very high and if you are forced to stop or turn suddenly or lose your balance, it's a long way to the ground. A safer alternative is the type that is a trailer with it's own wheels that is towed behind the bike. The attachment allows the bike to turn and lean while the trailer stays level.

Sounds like you will be biking on-road. There are bike out there called hybrid/fitness bikes. The body is built like a road bike -- light and stiff (no shocks and thinner wheels, since its light, easier to go up hills) but durable like a mountain bike (frame is slightly thicker than road bike so Im thinking is probably good for attaching those children bike seats and is a flat bar which makes you ride a bit more upright and comfy).