Walker - On Bicycles: 50 Ways the New Bike Culture Can Change Your Life

I proclaim On Bicycles the Whole Earth Catalog of bicycle culture for the current era. Im not usually one to preach that bicycles are the solution for all the worlds problems, but the more people use bikes, it seems, the more problems do start to melt away. As a lifelong member of the bike industry, I was delighted and awed to discover this amazing collection of articulate and knowledgeable writers who are also bike lovers. Amy Walker has done a stellar job in putting this grand vision into a holistic reference of bicycle knowledge. She weaves together the style and substance of the many writers, whose subjects range from fundamental motivations to bike-shop collectives to public policy and of course the nuts and bolts the what, where, and how of finding the right hardware and knowledge to bike smart and ride safely. I highly recommend this read to anyone who knows the thrill of pedal-powered motion.

Copyright 2011 by Amy Walker

All rights reserved. This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, or other without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review.

Text design by Tracy Cunningham
Illustrations by Matthew Fleming

Photo credits: Amy Walker, pages 12, 69, 299, and 332; Jason Gardner, page 16; Aarons Bicycle Repair, page 100; Bilenky Cycle Works, page 116; Dave Bryson Photography, page 152; Missouri Bicycle & Pedestrian Federation / mobikefed.org, page 178.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
On bicycles : 50 ways the new bike culture can change your life / edited by Amy Walker.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-60868-022-1 (pbk. : alk. paper)
1. Cycling. I. Walker, Amy.
GV1041.O6 2011
796.6dc23

2011025485

First printing, September 2011
ISBN 978-1-60868-022-1
Printed in Canada on 100% postconsumer-waste recycled paper

New World Library is a proud member of the Green Press Initiative.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

This book is dedicated to the memory of Terry Lowe, my collaborator and friend who delightfully shared the joy of cycling and worked steadfastly with many of us to realize the vision of bike friendliness.

My heartfelt love and appreciation go out to all those who contributed to this book. First, to all the folks at New World Library and especially to senior editor Jason Gardner, who had the original vision for this book and who trusted me to bring the parts together. I am grateful to all my colleagues at Momentum magazine with whom I have been blessed to explore and influence the transportation-biking renaissance. Thanks also to my friends Heather Tennen-house, for her friendship and encouragement; Amanda Bell, who helped me stay calm and get organized; and Leonard Paul, who is a great listener and role model. My deep respect goes to Tania Lo and Mia Kohout, who keep Momentum rolling with grace and style. Power to all the cycling advocates and activists who devote their energy to building better cycling policy and infrastructure. And to all of you who simply ride your bikes you are my inspiration!

I also thank my dad, Tom Walker, who has the best answers and a twinkle in his eye, and my amazing mom, Kate Walker if I end up anything like her, I will have succeeded in life.

Warning! Cycling can be addictive. Before you grab onto those handlebars, before you throw a leg over the saddle and start pumping away at those pedals, be aware: once you start, you may never want to stop. And like anything that looks good, feels good, and does good, youll want to share it. Thankfully, bicycling is easy and sociable. It feels natural to ride at a moderate pace and maintain a conversation, or just fly in a flock, drifting playfully among your companions. The act of balancing combined with gentle physical rhythm activates brain waves and creativity. The bicycles effect has even provided a key to understanding the universe: Albert Einstein said of his theory of relativity, I thought of that while riding my bicycle. This collection of short essays about biking may not bring you revelations of that magnitude, but it was created to inspire you, whether you are new to cycling or an expert.

Without bicycles, my life would have taken a completely different path. I have always been interested in problem solving and ), who inspired me with her vision, humor, and collaborative spirit. Together, in 2001, we cofounded Momentum magazine.

Sharing what I love is a great way to learn and I have learned so much and met so many amazing people through Momentum. Most of the contributors in this book were people I met through the magazine, and it has been a great honor to work with them to share our passion for cycling with you. This book does not cover all aspects of cycling. It merely scratches the surface of a rich and fascinating topic. In truth, most of what cycling can offer you cannot be described in words it must be experienced. But that doesnt stop us from trying! I hope this book will be a starting point for many conversations and two-wheeled journeys, whether they take you to the four corners of the Earth or to the corner store.

In their everyday lives, the contributors to On Bicycles prove that biking is like a juicy secret: its hard to keep it to yourself. Weve decided the best way to introduce this book is by telling you a few of the different ways weve shared our passion for cycling, starting with Jeff Mapes (chapter 35, ), who reminds us that we often share without even trying: Just striding into work on even the dankest mornings with a bounce in your step and a smile on your face is enough to persuade some people of the value of getting around town on a bike. Or to annoy the hell out of them.

Even moderately experienced cyclists have knowledge to share. We know how to relax into the ride and point our eyes where we want our bike to go. We know how to dress for the weather and which routes to avoid because of hills, potholes, or heavy car traffic. Stephen Rees (chapter 6, ) was a committed cyclist, but he didnt think he knew anything special until other people started treating him as though he did. So he rose to the occasion and shared bicycling stories and information on his blogs and online forums.