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shayneh's review against another edition
4.0
Well written book about policy, cycling, and law. Thoughtful approach.
weeta's review against another edition
5.0
a broad look at a broad and intangible problem - why can't all American cities grasp multi-modo streets, and what's the history behind our stubbornness? longhurst explores the relationships between industry, social class, racism, policy, popular opinion, and the trusty bicycle. how did America go from the beginnings of expansive bike networks and bikes as utilitarian transport in the early 20th century to "bikes are toys" myth? what does that have to do with wwii and racist/fear-based trade policy? how did vehicular cycling stagnate progress in many cities (cough, Pittsburgh)? and finally, longhurst argues that sharing streets will prepare us for an ever-dynamic and uncertain future where gas taxes fail to fund auto-only infrastructure.
if I had written this book I would have included more extensive research on what works and has worked in Portland and Davis. this book left me with a somewhat hopeless feeling, especially currently stuck in a very car-centric urban neighborhood longing for those glorious greenways and sidewalk networks (we're getting there! I hope). but I still think anyone who ever uses a road or sidewalk for any purpose needs to read this book.
if I had written this book I would have included more extensive research on what works and has worked in Portland and Davis. this book left me with a somewhat hopeless feeling, especially currently stuck in a very car-centric urban neighborhood longing for those glorious greenways and sidewalk networks (we're getting there! I hope). but I still think anyone who ever uses a road or sidewalk for any purpose needs to read this book.
satriani's review
5.0
An well written, excellent read on the history of bicycles on American roads and how after being instrumental in paved roads happening in America, they were progressively and systematically marginalized on these same roads. A great historical reference, that also includes a path forward how current changes are slowing coming in effect and finally some changes over a century in the making are finally coming to fruition. A must read for any cyclist and driver alike.
michaelnlibrarian's review
4.0
This book describes the evolution of cyclist use of roads in America, which got its start before the appearance of automobiles. If today there is some recognition of the need for "complete streets," then this is something we have arrived at after considerable evolution, with highs and lows along the way.
If someone is interested in the history of recreational (rather than racing) cycling in America, this book provides an interesting perspective. If you are a regular bicycle commuter as I am, reading this certainly explains the history of how we got to where we are with some, but not (in my view) enough support for cyclists.
The title overemphasizes conflict in this history, as the author admits - "Bike Battles" sounds more interesting than "Selected Cycling Policy Debates." After working his way from the 1800s through to today, the author's advice to cyclist-policy advocates is to take a moderate approach, recognizing that roads are a shared resource, to be used by motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians.
Some of the information and detail was new to me. I had not known much about the "sidepath" movement, which sought to create dedicated bike paths suitable for cycling at a time when roads used by horse-drawn vehicles were often not suitable for bicycling. This movement never got very far and had various misadventures with how it sought public funding. It somewhat presaged the conflicts closer to the present day between those who favor "vehicular cycling," that is, riding in the road as a vehicle with no special infrastructure for cyclists and those who favor such special infrastructure.
The book includes interesting photographs, many from the National Archives, that I had not seen before to make various points. There are also different instructional videos mentioned, many of which can be found on YouTube with a little searching.
While presented as an academic work, with footnotes and a bibliography, the approach is engaging and readable. I was able to find this at my local public library.
If someone is interested in the history of recreational (rather than racing) cycling in America, this book provides an interesting perspective. If you are a regular bicycle commuter as I am, reading this certainly explains the history of how we got to where we are with some, but not (in my view) enough support for cyclists.
The title overemphasizes conflict in this history, as the author admits - "Bike Battles" sounds more interesting than "Selected Cycling Policy Debates." After working his way from the 1800s through to today, the author's advice to cyclist-policy advocates is to take a moderate approach, recognizing that roads are a shared resource, to be used by motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians.
Some of the information and detail was new to me. I had not known much about the "sidepath" movement, which sought to create dedicated bike paths suitable for cycling at a time when roads used by horse-drawn vehicles were often not suitable for bicycling. This movement never got very far and had various misadventures with how it sought public funding. It somewhat presaged the conflicts closer to the present day between those who favor "vehicular cycling," that is, riding in the road as a vehicle with no special infrastructure for cyclists and those who favor such special infrastructure.
The book includes interesting photographs, many from the National Archives, that I had not seen before to make various points. There are also different instructional videos mentioned, many of which can be found on YouTube with a little searching.
While presented as an academic work, with footnotes and a bibliography, the approach is engaging and readable. I was able to find this at my local public library.
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