My first two-wheeler was a pink Schwinn with a white and pink floral banana seat. Ooooh, that seat was soooooo pretty! It was smooth shiny vinyl and the flowers looked like they were hand painted (ok, I was 5 years old...but I was just in love with that pretty seat at the time!). I had one of those cool tall flags, a bell, and a white basket on the handlebars. My friends and I were allowed to ride all over the place by ourselves (this was in Southern California in the late 70's/early 80's). We even crossed busy 4-lane streets and intersections. I can't imagine letting a 5 or 6 year old go riding alone these days! It's sad that kids don't have that freedom anymore...we had so much fun as kids out on our own.

Around that time, my parents had these really neat old 3-speed folding Bianchis. I think they were 50's or 60's vintage. One was blue and one was green. They had step-through frames and if I recall correctly, you shifted by twisting the rubber grip on one of the handlebars. They were sold at a garage sale years ago...what a bummer! I've looked for these bikes on ebay but I've never found one.