Best bike shop

Winner Gotham Bikes
The laid-back biker dudes at this ten-year-old Tribeca shop offer friendly advice to families who are browsing for that first set of wheels. Bikes and trikes start at around $80—Gotham carries the high-end Specialized and Giant brands—and the store also has plenty of helmets and accessories, including baskets, streamers, horns and bells, to trick out a new speeder. According to manager Jeromy Watkins, far and away the most popular bike for young riders these days is Specialized’s two-toned Hotrock ($140 and up), with its too-cool-for-school flame design. Once kids are all set up, they can spin their wheels on the nearby Hudson River Park bike path.

112 West Broadway at Reade St (212-732-2453, togabikes.com)

Runner-up Frank’s Bike Shop
Parents say this LES store’s large selection of inexpensive new and used bikes justifies the trek to the farthest reaches of Grand Street.

553 Grand St between Lewis and Jackson Sts (212-533-6332)

And don’t forget...Recycle-a-Bicycle
In 1994, the bicycle-advocacy organization Transportation Alternatives helped launch this nonprofit that trains youths in bike maintenance and hires the kids to refurbish old cycles, which are later sold. (The group also offers repair services.) A list of bikes for sale, with pictures, is updated often at www.recycleabicycle.org.

•75 Ave C between 5th and 6th Sts (212-475-1655)
•55 Washington St between Front and Water Sts, Dumbo, Brooklyn (718-858-2972)