Bike Battles

A History of Sharing the American Road

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Politics, City Planning & Urban Development, Sports, Cycling, History, Americas, United States, 20th Century
Cover of the book Bike Battles by James Longhurst, University of Washington Press
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Author: James Longhurst ISBN: 9780295805993
Publisher: University of Washington Press Publication: June 8, 2015
Imprint: University of Washington Press Language: English
Author: James Longhurst
ISBN: 9780295805993
Publisher: University of Washington Press
Publication: June 8, 2015
Imprint: University of Washington Press
Language: English

Americans have been riding bikes for more than a century now. So why are most American cities still so ill-prepared to handle cyclists? James Longhurst, a historian and avid cyclist, tackles that question by tracing the contentious debates between American bike riders, motorists, and pedestrians over the shared road. Bike Battles explores the different ways that Americans have thought about the bicycle through popular songs, merit badge pamphlets, advertising, films, newspapers and sitcoms. Those associations shaped the actions of government and the courts when they intervened in bike policy through lawsuits, traffic control, road building, taxation, rationing, import tariffs, safety education and bike lanes from the 1870s to the 1970s.

Today, cycling in American urban centers remains a challenge as city planners, political pundits, and residents continue to argue over bike lanes, bike-share programs, law enforcement, sustainability, and public safety. Combining fascinating new research from a wide range of sources with a true passion for the topic, Longhurst shows us that these battles are nothing new; in fact they’re simply a continuation of the original battle over who is - and isn’t - welcome on our roads.

Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNleJ0tDvqg

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Americans have been riding bikes for more than a century now. So why are most American cities still so ill-prepared to handle cyclists? James Longhurst, a historian and avid cyclist, tackles that question by tracing the contentious debates between American bike riders, motorists, and pedestrians over the shared road. Bike Battles explores the different ways that Americans have thought about the bicycle through popular songs, merit badge pamphlets, advertising, films, newspapers and sitcoms. Those associations shaped the actions of government and the courts when they intervened in bike policy through lawsuits, traffic control, road building, taxation, rationing, import tariffs, safety education and bike lanes from the 1870s to the 1970s.

Today, cycling in American urban centers remains a challenge as city planners, political pundits, and residents continue to argue over bike lanes, bike-share programs, law enforcement, sustainability, and public safety. Combining fascinating new research from a wide range of sources with a true passion for the topic, Longhurst shows us that these battles are nothing new; in fact they’re simply a continuation of the original battle over who is - and isn’t - welcome on our roads.

Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNleJ0tDvqg

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