City Cycling (Urban and Industrial Environments) [Paperback]

John Pucher (Editor), Ralph Buehler (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 12, 2012 | Series: Urban and Industrial Environments

Bicycling in cities is booming, for many reasons: health and environmental benefits, time and cost savings, more and better bike lanes and paths, innovative bike sharing programs, and the sheer fun of riding. City Cycling offers a guide to this urban cycling renaissance, with the goal of promoting cycling as sustainable urban transportation available to everyone. It reports on cycling trends and policies in cities in North America, Europe, and Australia, and offers information on such topics as cycling safety, cycling infrastructure provisions including bikeways and bike parking, the wide range of bike designs and bike equipment, integration of cycling with public transportation, and promoting cycling for women and children. City Cycling emphasizes that bicycling should not be limited to those who are highly trained, extremely fit, and daring enough to battle traffic on busy roads. The chapters describe ways to make city cycling feasible, convenient, and safe for commutes to work and school, shopping trips, visits, and other daily transportation needs. The book also offers detailed examinations and illustrations of cycling conditions in different urban environments: small cities (including Davis, California, and Delft, the Netherlands), large cities (including Sydney, Chicago, Toronto and Berlin), and "megacities" (London, New York, Paris, and Tokyo). These chapters offer a closer look at how cities both with and without historical cycling cultures have developed cycling programs over time. The book makes clear that successful promotion of city cycling depends on coordinating infrastructure, programs, and government policies.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is a must-read book for all those interested in transport and concerned about the environment, their own health, the quality of life, and the future of mobility. It provides an authoritative statement of the renaissance of cycling in all its facets, and each chapter is presented in a systematic, well-structured, accessible, and comprehensive manner through a galaxy of international authors. It is a benchmark book that will stand the test of time." -- David Banister, Professor of Transport Studies, University of Oxford, UK

" City Cycling is sure to become the key reference work for academics, advocates, technicians, and politicians seeking to increase cycling in the United States. This impressive book thoroughly documents the individual, community, and national benefits of getting more people on bikes and proposes specific measures for making cycling safe and feasible for everyone. John Pucher and Ralph Buehler leave the reader no choice but to act." -- Andy Clarke, President, League of American Bicyclists

"With an overwhelming global demand for cycling solutions, City Cycling is being published at exactly the right time. It makes a clear case that cycling is the answer to big global problems. Readers are treated to unparalleled cycling expertise with extensive content from international contributors and a great collection of case studies. City Cycling will be a reference point in interdisciplinary research about cycling." -- Manfred Neun, President, European Cyclists' Federation

"The best single source to date of data on cycling trends and successful strategies to expand and maintain high levels of cycling. Chapters focusing on women cyclists, children and cycling, and small, large, and megacities add to the usefulness." -- Mark Vallianatos, Policy Director, Urban & Environmental Policy Institute, Occidental College

"This book could be a change agent for bicycling and the infrastructure. It can be hoped that nationally elected officials will read it and pass legislation favorable to bicycling." -- Anne Lusk, Research Scientist, Harvard School of Public Health

"While City Cycling probably won't convince the most hard-core bike haters, it has the potential to help change the debate about how biking fits into the transportation system in countries such as the U.S., where it has traditionally been perceived as marginal. This thoroughly academic approach could be just what we need to move the conversation forward." Sarah Goodyear, The Atlantic Cities

About the Author

John Pucher is Professor in the Department of Urban Planning at the Bloustein School of Planning and Policy at Rutgers University. He is the coauthor of The Urban Transport Crisis in Europe and North America and The Urban Transportation System: Politics and Policy Innovation (MIT Press).

Ralph Buehler is Assistant Professor in the Department of Urban Affairs and Planning in the School of Public and International Affairs at Virginia Tech.

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: The MIT Press (October 12, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0262517817
• ISBN-13: 978-0262517812
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.8 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #83,372 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #44 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Social Sciences > Urban Planning & Development
  • #44 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > Public Affairs & Policy > City Planning & Urban Development

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great tool for academics and practitioners December 29, 2012

By Carlos F. Pardo V

Format:Paperback

I've just finished reading the City Cycling book and I am absolutely thrilled at finding such a great document. It has useful information, references and overall analysis of the most recent discussions in the topic of cycling. I especially found it useful that those of us who are struggling to change policies in developing cities have never had good material to work from (ok, we have your and other journal articles but they are more on the academic side), and this book is truly a gem in that sense. I am sure it was a lot of work (it shows) and this will definitely be one of my go-to documents from now on.

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have reference April 8, 2013

By Sue Knaup

Format:Paperback

City Cycling is a scholarly, academic compilation of the most important data and statistics on urban cycling available today. It is a must-have for the bookshelf of anyone working to increase bicycling.

5.0 out of 5 stars great book December 14, 2012

By Eric A. Ferreira

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Pucher has been working with other transport modes than not automobiles and he's doing a great job. Time has come and changes must be done right now, included bicycles in any city requires much more than cycle paths, requires a new approach about urbanism, new ways to get around, less energy consuption, more friendly environments. To do these things man must be considered as the central on mobility and cycles are the way.