The Art of Cycling: A Guide to Bicycling in 21st-Century America (Paperback)

by Robert Hurst (Author), Marla Streb (Foreword)
Key Phrases: vehicular cyclists, vigilant cyclist, tire wiping, United States, Los Angeles, Door Zone (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This empowering cycling book should come in the glove box of every new car sold" -- Marla Streb, World Champion Downhill Mountain Bike Racer

 

"While it's hard to imagine a book about [urban] cycling could fill over 250 pages, let alone strive to be a near masterpiece, that's just what The Art of Urban Cycling: Lessons from the Street, and all-encompassing how-to book by veteran bicycling messenger Robert Hurst, has accomplished."

"With a spot-on foreword written by Luna downhiller Marla Streb and a detailed index of footnotes and bibliography, Hurst has compiled a cerebral but hip manifesto for [urban] cyclists looking to coexist in a system that has left them to fend for their lives."  -- VeloNews, Journal of Competitive Cycling

 

"I would like to highly recommend the book "The Art of Urban Cycling: Lessons from the Street" by Robert Hurst. Not only is it delightfully written (with a sense of humour and a relaxed style) and absorbing ("just a second, dear, I'll take out the trash after I read about curbs"), but it's *dead on*. I've been riding my whole life, never having owned a car, to get everywhere from school to grocery shopping to Canada. And he's *right*. Katherine Stange, Providence, RI (Amazon review)

"There are other books about cycling that are worth reading (such as Effective Cycling by John Forester) but I think this one is the best of the bunch." -

Cliff Heegel (Memphis, TN)

"The best "how to" cycling book out there. I've bought several copies for myself, strategically placed to rarely be far from one. Having ridden in cities for over 40 years, I still found every page, infact almost every paragraph contained a pearl. Pros and cons of controvertial issues are presented, and with excellent references, making the author's recommendations so much more authoritative." -

Hansel de Sousa (Bethlehem, PA)

Product Description

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. It empowers readers with the Big Picture of riding a bicycle in America -- and gives cyclists useful insights to consider while pedaling the next commute, grocery run, or training ride.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Falcon; 2nd edition (October 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0762743166
• ISBN-13: 978-0762743162
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #200,006 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Artful yes, but not quite as much cycling as I'd hoped, July 2, 2007

By	Allan Bedford "Author of The Unofficial LEGO ... (Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I bought this book recently while waiting for a new bike to arrive that I'd ordered online. I wanted to get into the cycling mood before my new ride arrived, though I was already geared up for the topic. So I really really wanted to like this book. I wanted to love it. And as close as it came, it just fell a bit short.

As a commuting cyclist I felt this was the perfect book for me. It's packed with suggestions, tips and methods of cycling in urban and suburban environments that are meant to keep you safe and secure in the insanity of traffic you face daily. And those parts of the book are great... the parts about cycling that is. But getting to those parts takes some patience. Nearly the first 50 pages are a lead up to actually discussing cycling. They are sort of a short history of civil engineering, how inner cities and the suburbs developed, and how evil roads and cars can be. While that stuff is all well and good, it could have been a bit shorter or perhaps woven in with more of the on-topic material.

The author's joy and enthusiasm for cyling are obvious though, in the rest of the book. I feel as though he strives to stand up for the rights of cyclists (and encourage them to do the same for themselves) but he doesn't take a vigilante tone in doing so. And I appreciated that, because I think it makes it easier to follow his suggestions. They feel as though they're coming from a friend, rather than a fanatic.

So as much as I wanted to give this book 5 stars, I'm only going to give it 4. I'd likely give it 4 1/2 if that were an option. Sadly, it's not. But I do encourage riders of all skill levels (especially those starting out in the commuting lifestyle) to check out this really good book.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars great for beginning urban commuters, June 11, 2008

By	Benjamin E. Stevens "La Esperantisto" (Harrisburg, PA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is best for someone about to take up urban bicycle commuting. (With gas prices going up, I assume that this target audience is growing.) Overall, the book has the feel of a relaxed instructor going over the basics with a class of beginners. Somehow, Hurst manages to cram a lot of information--no fluff--into 250 pages without being boring.

An experienced rider will find little new information beyond the historical stuff. The historical sections are nice for those interested in understanding the bigger picture of cycling in the United States. Some may yawn, but it is powerful information worth knowing and pondering.

The discussions about bike culture (and various subcultures) are interesting and amusing. Hurst seems to promote bike culture while asking the reader to take it lightly.

My only peeve: I do not understand why the word "Urban" was removed from the title. The book dedicates only about two pages to suburban riding and completely neglects country cycling. As a former country commuter, I can attest that the navigation of old highways and byways has its own distinct challenges and priorities. There is nothing inherently wrong with the information in the book; I simply feel that the word "Urban" should still be in the title (at least until in-depth non-urban material is eventually added).

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must for a Commuter, July 6, 2008

By	tarnished - See all my reviews

This book is a must for a commuter! He discusses the pros and cons of both the vehicular and invisible styles of riding. It's frankly a good idea to mix them. Drivers just really don't see you, so if you ride visibly, but make decisions based on the fact they don't see you; you are safer in the long run. There is a bit of politics in the beginning, but spend a year riding in city traffic during rush hour and you'll understand why he feels the way he does.