The bicyclist is under attack from all directions - the streets are
ragged, the air is poison, and the drivers are angry. As if that weren't
enough, the American cyclist must carry the weight of history along on
every ride. After a brief heyday at the turn of the twentieth century,
American cyclists fell out of the social consciousness, becoming an
afterthought when our cities were planned and built. Cyclists today are
left to navigate through a hard and unsympathetic world that was not
made for them. Yet, with the proper attitude and a bit of knowledge,
cyclists can thrive in this hostile environment.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.