Robert Hurst (1)

I wouldn't have called this a manifesto - I think of a manifesto as a document focussed on some proposal. This book is a lot of fun but it is more of a ramble with lots of opinions mixed in along the way, but nothing like a grand vision.

A major chapter of the book is a review of the American addiction to petroleum and its immanent demise. The author does a good job of reviewing the facts.

Another main chapter is on bicyclists and traffic. Hurst isn't a fan of bike lanes, nor does he like the show more approach of Forester, where bikes should be regulated just like cars. Bikes aren't just like cars! So Hurst is proposing a moderate approach, with some flexibility for the unique attributes of bikes.

The book starts out with a nice history of how early automobile history is tied in with bicycles - early automobile racers started as bike racers, etc.

Hurst tells us he's realistic in not expecting a very large fraction of the American population to take to biking to work. He is also not a big fan of group rides. For him, part of the fun of bicycling is being a bit of a maverick, an outsider.

So this is a bit of an idiosyncratic perspective on biking. It also seems more directed to urban than rural cycling. Most folks live in cities, anyway! His ideas are all well motivated and come out of lots of experience. It's a good book and sure to invigorate anyone's thinking. show less

Entertaining and unusual book. Opens with a brief history of cycling starting back in the 1890s, touching on the politics, women's suffrage, racism in bike racing, and the invention of the automobile. Who knew the bicycle was critical to the assault on Singapore in WWII? Touches on the oil supply, politics of energy, bike safety, bike lanes, and even a brief comment on Critical Mass. All this in less that 200 pages, in a very fresh voice.

A decent book anyone wanting to know how to negotiate the mine field that is urban cycling. An avid rider myself I avoid the dangers of the street whenever possible and after reading this book it reinforces why. The deck is certainly stacked against the cyclist on the streets and Hurst delivers on numerous topics and techniques that can help make it survivable. A must read for those venturing out for the first time and a great refresher for those who think they have seen it all.

Excellent book detailing various techniques needed to safely ride a bicycle in today's world.