Soooooo, hints and tips please! What to buy, how to practise for a beginner? I'd like to avoid snapped limbs if possible...
You'll want to check out:
http://www.unicyclist.com/forums/I've had the best luck in training people to ride on an empty tennis court. The
surface is flat and smooth, and they can hold onto the chain link fence while
learning to ride. I usually stand/walk on the opposite side so they can hold
onto me during the initial mount. Full-finger gloves are useful gear while
holding onto the chain link fence.
To avoid injuries: Wrist guards are useful when you're in the process of
learning how to roll out of a fall. Shin guards are handy when your learning
to free mount. When I was doing off-road Muni, I also used knee pads due to
the uneven terrain, which could launch me off my wheel.
After I became more proficient, I stopped using safety equipment (except for
a helmet and bicycle gloves) unless I was riding off-road trails. Bike gloves
are handy when you want to reach out and support yourself on a street light
or telephone pole.