Cyclist's Manifesto: The Case For Riding On Two Wheels Instead Of Four (Falcon Guide)

The Cyclist's Manifesto is the second Robert Hurst book I've read, which should tell you that I like what he has to say enough to continue to buy his books. That, combined with the fact that I've been an avid cyclist my entire life will reveal my bias towards bicycles as a mode of transportation. A bias that Mr. Hurst most definitely shares.In general I'm against continuing to read things that support what you already believe (what's the point?). It tends to lead to narrow-mindedness and intolerance of foreign ideas. But I do recommend reading this book even if you already toe the party line. He has a way of articulating ideas that really resonates and invigorates. I found it inspirational enough that I've re-dedicated myself as a soldier in the revolution. I learned some new things along the way, but in general it performed the role of a great pep talk, which is exactly what I was looking for.However many copies of this book get sold my bet is that almost to the reader he is preaching to the choir. This is a shame because I think this book has a lot to offer the bicycle-curious. Some of his rants seem to play a little fast and loose with the facts (while staying true in a general sense). Additionally his hard-line stance (even for a cyclist) may be repelling to some, but in the end his message is truly liberating.The book begins with the history where cars and bicycles converge (if you didn't already know this, these histories are very much intertwined), continues on with the mess that we've created through political and personal cowardice, and ends with a bang that would likely convert even the hardened, gas guzzling SUV pilot.Admittedly he provides no easy answers. He even claims that someone who doesn't own a car or even take the bus is still beholden to petroleum, like it or not. I'm left with the impression that if everyone went to bicycles tomorrow it would be an improvement, but still wouldn't solve the energy problem.Anyone reading this book who converts to a bicycle way of life is unlikely to change the world, but will, however, change their own world. Dramatically. And that, comrades, is where this book truly shines.

For better or for worse, he has arrived at some conclusions that differ from the conventional wisdom. As such, much of the book could be viewed as highly objectionable."These are the concluding sentences (in pompous third-person voice, no less) of Robert Hurst's "The Cyclist's Manifesto." If it were half as interesting as the author suspects, it would've been a great read. Alas, the only thing truly objectionable is the lack of a judicious editor. Instead, we have a mishmash of environmental jeremiads, personal experiences, and Prius bashing. Hurst wanders from camel importing to Ford and GM's propping of Hitler to name-dropping Milan Kundera and considering that a significant portion of today's cyclists are annoying jerks or elitist and racist toolbags. Duhhhh!Instead of taking FDR to task for Guernica and Dresden, maybe Hurst could just write about BICYCLES? If it is the author's stated goal is to get more people riding two wheels instead of 4, it get lost in a poor signal to noise ratio. Eventually he wanders back into a discussion of petro state tyranny and oil shale but by that time I just wanted to put down the book and walk to the coffee shop. This thing is the "Practice Girl" of manifestos, falling somewhere between Ron Paul's "Revolution" and Jeffrey Lebowski's "Port Huron Statement."

I enjoyed reading The Cyclist's Manifesto, and while there's a lot of interesting information about the history of the bicycle and a lot of encouragement about getting on the bike, I found the book veered a little too much into advocacy of dangerous and illegal riding styles for my taste. Mr. Hurst is an ex-bike messenger and he brings a lot of bike messenger practice to his philosophy of bicycle riding, advocating a style of cycling that is 'adaptive'. What that seems to mean is 'legal only as long as I feel it needs to be'. I get the feeling that Hurst sees a red light as being relevant to him only as long as it suits his temperament - if he feels that he'd be better-off if he ignored it, then the red light becomes a mere suggestion. This attitude is part of the reason cyclists have a bad name here in the US.I find that 'Street Smarts: Bicycling's Traffic Survival Guide' by John S. Allen, 'Cyclecraft: The Complete Guide to Safe and Enjoyable Cycling for Adults and Children' by John Franklin, and 'Effective Cycling' by John Forester are much more useful books, all of which feature a cycling manifesto that has stood the test of time.

I am a cyclist and a cycling advocate and I did not enjoy reading this book. First of all, it is not a manifesto. It is more like a collection of stories, mostly histories, some so completely off topic that I was wondering if I grabbed the wrong book by mistake. The stories are so disconnected that the whole thing reads more like a blog. And it is a rant. It is more about the problem of oil running out than about cycling. In addition, the author obviously has a problem with so many other cyclists, especially with what they wear, that at the end this book did not at all feel inspiring to get on a bike. For me, this book didn't make the case for riding on two wheels instead of four.

This book lays it out pretty plainly. A well argued case against our autocentric civilization with sane suggestions for salvation. I fear, given the depth of our dependence on the automobile, that our civilization cannot adapt. Even a shift in automobile power sourcing doesn't save us from the sad evolution of a civilization that can't actually move itself without a special power source. The cost of our inactivity is everywhere evidenced. Rave and ride on, cyclists!

Hurst provides an excellent overview of bike advocacy from a very realistic and honest perspective. This book isn't like Pedaling Revolution, where you're patted on the back over and over for riding.While I don't always agree with the author, he supports his positions well and they're clearly well though out.