The joys of commuting by bike attract scores of new converts every year. But as fresh-faced cyclists fill the roads, they also encounter their share of frustrations—careless drivers, wide-flung car doors, zoned-out pedestrians, and aggressive fellow cyclists, to name a few. In this follow-up to the best-selling Bike Snob, BikeSnobNYC takes on the trials and triumphs of bike commuting with snark, humor, and enthusiasm, asking the question: If we become better commuters, will that make us better people? From the deadly sins of biking to tactics for dealing with cars, pedestrians, and other cyclists, this primer on bike travel is a must-read for cyclists new and seasoned alike.
The Enlightened Cyclist
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"Weiss is a Brooklyn-based cyclist and writer. His book is 240 pages of optimism hidden in snark, of hope cloaked in sarcasm, and it's full of sometimes scathing, always accurate cycling observations that occasionally border on genius....But for all its sardonic wit - and there is a lot of it - "The Enlightened Cyclist'' at its core is an honest look at a growing culture of bicycle commuters vying for a slice of the road in a car-dominated culture that still considers the bicycle an "alternative'' means of transportation. Mixed into the snark stew is a plea for commuters of all stripes - pedestrian, cyclist and driver - simply to get along." - The Unnamed Cyclist
According to the irreverent Bike Snob NYC (Bike Snob: Systematically and Mercilessly Realigning the World of Cycling), the nom de guerre of Eben Weiss, the main thing commuters want is "To be happy, and to not get killed." And in this hilarious faux-epic volume, the author uses the Bible as a loose template for how cyclists and cars can, and should, all get along. Though there's some take-home advice, such as driving behaviors to avoid and which kind of bike to buy, most of the book is a rollicking window into urban cycling from a self-professed "smug dork." There are several extended glossaries--in the annals of Annoying Cyclist Behavior, Weiss describes the differences between "salmoning," "shoaling," and "wheelsucking." And sidebars include Understanding Bipedal Idiocy and The Dachshund of Time. Occasionally, the author flips into an earnest, philosophical voice; though his description of his experience on 9/11 and his rant about the pointlessness of dressing up for work are thought-provoking, their tone is somewhat out of place in what is, at heart, a truly fun and witty ride. The book shines when the author combines his self-deprecation on behalf of all cyclists ("we are kind of the nerds in the school cafeteria of transportation") with heavier topics ("when it comes to integrating our transportation, we're as closed-minded as the racists of yesteryear"), creating a call to arms for the ultimate commuting goals: transcendence and "highways of happiness." - Publishers Weekly
According to the irreverent Bike Snob NYC (Bike Snob: Systematically and Mercilessly Realigning the World of Cycling), the nom de guerre of Eben Weiss, the main thing commuters want is "To be happy, and to not get killed." And in this hilarious faux-epic volume, the author uses the Bible as a loose template for how cyclists and cars can, and should, all get along. Though there's some take-home advice, such as driving behaviors to avoid and which kind of bike to buy, most of the book is a rollicking window into urban cycling from a self-professed "smug dork." There are several extended glossaries--in the annals of Annoying Cyclist Behavior, Weiss describes the differences between "salmoning," "shoaling," and "wheelsucking." And sidebars include Understanding Bipedal Idiocy and The Dachshund of Time. Occasionally, the author flips into an earnest, philosophical voice; though his description of his experience on 9/11 and his rant about the pointlessness of dressing up for work are thought-provoking, their tone is somewhat out of place in what is, at heart, a truly fun and witty ride. The book shines when the author combines his self-deprecation on behalf of all cyclists ("we are kind of the nerds in the school cafeteria of transportation") with heavier topics ("when it comes to integrating our transportation, we're as closed-minded as the racists of yesteryear"), creating a call to arms for the ultimate commuting goals: transcendence and "highways of happiness." - Publishers Weekly
About the Author
BikeSnobNYC (a.k.a. Eben Weiss) is the blogger behind bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com, a massively popular cycling blog. He also writes a monthly column in Bicycling magazine. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I am a huge fan of Bike Snob's blog and loved his first book and so eagerly looked forward to this one. It is the only physical book (as opposed to Kindle edition) I purchased this year because I wanted this book to sit on my bookshelf. Sadly, I was very disappointed. There is nothing wrong with this book, I certainly wasn't offended by it, but it just wasn't funny. It was so not funny that about half way through I stopped and wondered if I had gotten it wrong, if in fact it was supposed to be a serious book. Unfortunately, there simply isn't enough substance to support a serious book. By all means, read Bike Snob's blog and buy his first book. I suggest skipping this one and hoping the next is better.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
I've been riding a bike to and from work for about six months. I started doing it for two reasons, the high price of gas and the stupid increase in my gym membership. No more gym for me and I'm spending substantially less money on gas. So when I got a chance to get this book, I took it and I've been enjoying it ever since.
This book is full of bike sense and bike humor. It is a pleasure to read and reread. Any biker will see situations she's been in between these pages and maybe recognize a bit of herself in here too. And she'll laugh and tell her friends about this book and she'll read passages to her spouse, who still drives his big car to work even though he travels only half as far as his biker wife.
In short this is a book everyone who commutes by bike will enjoy, but it's more than that, you don't have to ride a bike to have fun with this book.
This book is full of bike sense and bike humor. It is a pleasure to read and reread. Any biker will see situations she's been in between these pages and maybe recognize a bit of herself in here too. And she'll laugh and tell her friends about this book and she'll read passages to her spouse, who still drives his big car to work even though he travels only half as far as his biker wife.
In short this is a book everyone who commutes by bike will enjoy, but it's more than that, you don't have to ride a bike to have fun with this book.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars
Boring, not very well written, essentially no information, and unfunny.
July 25, 2012
By Jordan
Format:Hardcover
This book was really disappointing. I'm a huge fan of the blog, and a long time bike commuter. I always get a kick out of his humor when I read the blog, but the book just failed to find that sweet spot. It's basically a bizarre combination of unfunny pop-culture references, religion bashing, and complaining about being a bicyclist. Hey, don't get me wrong, people salmoning, shoaling, and riding without lights drives me crazy too; I like to chuckle at "Freds" - and I usually get a good laugh out of it when he blogs about the stuff. But the book just falls flat.
Stick with the blog and you can't go wrong, but you're not missing anything in "The Enlightened Cyclist."
Stick with the blog and you can't go wrong, but you're not missing anything in "The Enlightened Cyclist."
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Definately Worth the Read
I borrowed this book from the local library. I only had to renew it once before finishing it and for me, that's pretty good. Read more
Published 4 days ago by Steelbicyclist
4.0 out of 5 stars
Telling it like it is
Does anyone else talks about cycling, the good, the bad, the ugly, the way the Bike Snob does? And his writing is witty and entertaining.
Published 8 days ago by Carlos R Gravis
2.0 out of 5 stars
Sacastic cyclist
I felt the commentary and tone of the book a bit too snarky for me. I'm sure the author was trying to be witty but it gave off way too much attitude. Read more
Published 24 days ago by Andy Heines
1.0 out of 5 stars
Waste of time and money
SO embarrassed I put money in someone's pocket for this "book." Mr. Weiss is not enlightened, doesn't write well and is not funny. 'The Enlightened Cyclist' is simply an ego trip. Read more
Published 24 days ago by joda1010
4.0 out of 5 stars
If you ride a bike, you should read this book, if you don't you should...
Our citys are full of people riding their bikes, or renting one for ride. Bike Snob is a great guy who can show you another side of your passion (if you are a cyclist) or of your... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Carlos Eduardo de Carvalho Filho
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good advice
This book was a fun read, and full of good advice for anyone who commutes,whether it be by car, bike, or on foot. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Andy G.
1.0 out of 5 stars
How Much Of This Crap Can We Take?
For those of us who live the bike commuting life, there is nothing new or useful here (and would we find something new or useful in a book?). Read more
Published 1 month ago by T. Leach
5.0 out of 5 stars
I liked it
It was very entertaining and had a lot of truth in it. I would recommend this. I am considering buying more from this author.
Published 1 month ago by Lynn
5.0 out of 5 stars
Entertaining look at commuting and riding a bike in general
What I like most about this book is the stance that he takes.... riding a bike is cool and has a lot of advantages, but owning a car does not make you an evil person. Read more
Published 1 month ago by James Gorman
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not what I expected?
I guess I'm not an enlightened cyclist. I didn't find the book amusing or informative. I'm not a "serious" cyclist. Read more
Published 1 month ago by G. Scott
