Bike Battles
Bike Battles: A History of Sharing the American Road by James Longhurst
My coffee cup rating:
☕️☕️☕️☕️
The bicycle is one of the greatest inventions of our time, and its roots have been strongly established in our transportation history. As an avid cyclist and aficionado, Bike Battles by James Longhurst, was a no-brainer read for me. This book is both informative and entertaining, sharing the story of how the bicycle has been a cultural chameleon in the American mindset. This has spurred on many bike battles on the road and in the courts. The book follows these battles starting with the late 1880s and weaving its way through the decades to present day.
A major battle the bicycle has faced throughout history originates in its designation on the road. Is it a vehicle, or pedestrian? What rights does the cyclist have on the road? Although throughout history it has most often been classified as a vehicle, this is still something being disputed to this day -over one-hundred years later. James does a great job of following this idea throughout history, sharing the different opinions and hardships this battle has created.
One of the biggest stigmas that the bicycle has faced in America has been its classification as a child’s toy. James poses the theory that adult cycling never took off in America as in other parts of the world mainly because of this stigma. By the early 1950s, this idea was cemented in most Americans minds, making the automobile the sign of freedom and adulthood. The bicycle became the stepping stone to driving and was marketed as such in magazines and even TV shows. This stigma was further reinforced by government spending in auto-centric infrastructure making the car virtually the only option for Americans to get around.*
James also covers the bike boom of the ’60s & 70’s quite well, attributing much its rapid growth to the oil crisis and Japan’s manufacturing reconstruction. After World War II, Japan turned much of its engineering and production power to producing good quality, yet cheap bicycles and parts. When these part were mated with European and U.S. frames overseas, it was a match made in heaven. Everyone seemed to be riding what was quickly regarded as the '10-speed'. The 70’s also organized many bicycle groups to re-start the conversation about bike specific infrastructure on and off the road after being shelved since the early 1900s because of the auto's dominance. Much of the bicycle infrastructure we see today can find its roots in this movement.
My only criticism of this book was I wish it detailed more present day cycling culture as thoroughly as it did the past. I was left feeling more like I read an edited history of the bicycle that stopped in the 1980s than the present day. Maybe I’m asking too much though as I understand that could be a whole other book in and of itself. Overall I thought this book was great, and as a cyclist myself, it gave me a greater understanding and appreciation for the riders that have come before me. So if you're a cyclist, read this book. If you're not a cyclist, read this book. Understanding our roads and their history will help us create a better future, not for just one set of users, but for everyone.
More Resources:
Book Website: Bike Battles
Book Trailer: Video
* The book Car Country is a great resource that dives deep into America’s obsession with the automobile. You can read my review of Car Country here.