The bicyclist is under attack from all directions - the streets are ragged, the air is poison, and the drivers are angry. As if that weren't enough, the American cyclist must carry the weight of history along on every ride. After a brief heyday at the turn of the twentieth century, American cyclists fell out of the social consciousness, becoming an afterthought when our cities were planned and built. Cyclists today are left to navigate, like rats in a sewer, through a hard and unsympathetic world that was not made for them. Yet, with the proper attitude and a bit of knowledge, cyclists can thrive in this hostile environment. Covering much more than just riding a bike in traffic, author Robert Hurst paints, in uncanny detail, the challenges, strategies, and art of riding a bike on America's modern streets and roadways. The Art of Cycling dismantles the bicycling experience and slides it under the microscope, piece by piece. Its primary concern is safety, but this book goes well beyond the usual tips and how-to, diving in to the realms of history, psychology, sociology, and economics.

Academic interest in cycling has burgeoned in recent years with significant literature relating to the health and environmental benefits of cycling, the necessity for cycle-specific infrastructure, and the embodied experiences of cycling. Based upon primary research in a variety of contexts such as London, Shanghai and Taipei, this book demonstrates that recent developments in urban cycling policy and practice are closely linked to broader processes of capital accumulation. It argues that cycling is increasingly caught up in discourses around smart cities that emphasise technological solutions to environmental problems and neoliberal ideas on individual responsibility and bio-political conduct, which only results in solutions that prioritise those who are already mobile. Accordingly, the central argument of the book is not that the popularisation of cycling is inherently bad, but that the manner in which cycling is being popularised gives cause for social and environmental concern. Ultimately the book argues that cycling has now become a vehicle for sustaining pro-growth agendas rather than subverting them or shifting to sustainable no-growth/de-growth and less technologically driven visions of modernity. This book makes an innovative contribution to the fields of Cycling Studies, Mobilities and Transport and will be of interest to students and academics working in Human Geography, Transport Studies, Urban Studies, Urban Planning, Public Policy, Sociology and Sustainability.

The Cyclist’s Manifesto makes the most powerful case to date for a simple fact: America can no longer afford to ignore the bicycle as a tool for serious transportation. Robert Hurst takes off his gloves to lay out the case in favor of the bicycle as today’s superior mode of transport—and to voice a resounding call to action for people to use it. In an engaging narrative that takes us from the past to the present and into the future, the author visits a surprising variety of places and historical moments. Hurst argues that America’s aversion to bicycling for transportation is a unique historical-cultural absurdity based largely on false assumptions and bad information. Humorous but more than a little exasperated, and strikingly nonpartisan, The Cyclist’s Manifesto paints a tantalizing picture of just what the effects of substantially increased bicycle usage might be—the health care savings would be astronomical, for example—and the ways that individuals and governments can go about wresting back control over their energy destiny.

• Fresh approach that every beginning bicycle commuter needs to get started with confidence • Illustrations throughout help explain cycle safety, route planning, etiquette, maintenance, and more • Author is a family cycling advocate Bicycle commuting is growing by leaps and bounds, especially among women. For many prospective bike commuters, simply seeing a bicyclist cruise past their car or bus while stuck in heavy traffic is enough to inspire a change. But many novice bike commuters crave a manual. The largest percentage of would-be bicycle commuters falls in the “Interested But Concerned” category—they have questions about rules of the road, fears about traffic, or uncertainty about how to get started. Urban Cycling is the easy-to-navigate resource that answers it all! Author, advocate, and urban-cycler extraordinaire Madi Carlson provides accessible and appealing guidance, giving even the most hesitant bicyclist all the tools she needs to join the cycling community. Carlson details everything from choosing a bike and gear accessories to safe riding techniques, city cycling infrastructure to route planning, and multi-modal commuting to basic maintenance. She also discusses legal issues around urban biking and commuting with children. Illustrations and diagrams of various bicycle facilities and traffic situations help show readers what is expected in each, while photographs demonstrate gear essentials and riding techniques. Tips, personal anecdotes, and profiles of bike commuters and cycling organizations from around the country provide additional advice and inspiration.

In the 21st century cycling has been re-considered as utilitarian transport. Starting from a low modal share, it has surged in many major cities of the Global North and is now being integrated into mobility and urban planning programmes and infrastructure. This book focuses on the process of "becoming" an urban cyclist through socialization.

City cycling made simple North America's cities have long been the domain of the car, but thanks to the undeniable benefits of active transport, bicycles have an increasing presence in the urban landscape. Yet our cities weren't designed for bicycles, making for intimidating, and sometimes dangerous, environments for cyclists. The Urban Cycling Survival Guide is an accessible, straight-forward pocket guide that helps cyclists new to the urban environment negotiate all the challenges, obstacles, and rules - spoken and unspoken Ñ that come with sharing the roads. From picking the bike that's right for you to smart riding strategies, tips for drivers, and bike maintenance, Cycle Toronto founding executive director Yvonne Bambrick is your trusted guide. With illustrations to help clarify even the trickiest bike situation, The Urban Cycling Survival Guide is an indispensible, attractive set of training wheels that can make anyone a confident, joyful city rider.

In Urban Flow, Jeffrey L. Kidder introduces readers to the fascinating subculture of bike messengers, exploring its appeal as well as its uncertainties and dangers.