Bike for beginners

[babybouncer]

My kids have now got to the age where they can ride a bike faster than I can walk, so I think I need a bike to keep up with them. I hated cycling as a teenager, but DH is now cycling mad and says bikes are now lighter and nicer to ride. I've looked at step through hybrid bikes, but I can't really tell the difference between them (not really sure what I'm looking for!), but I'm worried I might either spend too much on a bike I rarely use or get a cheap bike that is not comfortable to ride and puts me off even more!

So far I've see Trek and Specialized bikes between £330 and £450 and a Whyte bike called Strawberry Hill at £500ish. Does anyone have one of these bikes? Any good? How did you chose your first bike? Any regrets?

The first thing to think about is what sort of thing will you plan to do on your bike? Is it on cycle paths or forest trails? Or will you ride on the road with dh and the children.

Unless you think you are going to cycle a lot, then get something cheaper to start with. The Decathlon bikes get very good reviews.

You could also do some bike lessons to gain more confidence - Breeze do beginner rides for women only, and in my area you can do adult classes very cheaply.

FWIW, I have a Specialized Hybrid, and a Cannondale road bike.

I'm planning on cycle paths, roads and forest trails. DS can do 11km already, so I think I may end up doing quite a lot of cycling.

I got a free cycle lesson with tfl.

How bumpy are the forest trails? You might need to get a mountain bike if they're anything like the ones around here...