Bike Battles : A History of Sharing the American Road

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

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 Battlesexplores 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 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 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. Get Out Of The Road! -- The Battle Over The Public Roads In America, 1870-1900 -- The Right Sort Of People -- The Battle Over Taxes, Sidepaths, And Roads At The Turn Of The Century -- The Rules Of The Road -- Bicycling In The Automotive Age, 1900-1930 -- Victory Bike Battles -- The Debate Over Emergency Transport In World War Ii -- 1950s Syndrome -- Excluding Bikes From Suburban Streets, Interstate Highways, And Adult Lives -- Bikes Are Beautiful -- The Bike Boom, Bikeways, And The Battle Over Where To Ride In The 1970s -- Conclusion -- The Road As A Commons James Longhurst. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Contents Preface Introduction 1. Get Out of the Road!: The Battle over the Public Roads in America, 1870–1900 2. The Right Sort of People: The Battle over Taxes, Sidepaths, and Roads at the Turn of the Century 3. The Rules of the Road: Bicycling in the Automotive Age, 1900–1930 4. Victory Bike Battles: The Debate over Emergency Transport in World War II 5. 1950s Syndrome: Excluding Bikes from Suburban Streets, Interstate Highways, and Adult Lives 6. Bikes Are Beautiful: The Bike Boom, Bikeways, and the Battle over Where to Ride in the 1970s Conclusion. The Road as a Commons Acknowledgments Note on Citations and Sources Abbreviations Notes Select Bibliography Index