The Enlightened Cyclist: Commuter Angst, Dangerous Drivers, and Other Obstacles on the Path to Two-Wheeled Trancendence
@ The joys of commuting by bike attract scores of new converts every year. But as fresh-faced cyclists fill the roads, they also encounter their share of frustrations—careless drivers, wide-flung car doors, zoned-out pedestrians, and aggressive fellow cyclists, to name a few. In this follow-up to the best-selling Bike Snob, BikeSnobNYC takes on the trials and triumphs of bike commuting with snark, humor, and enthusiasm, asking the question: If we become better commuters, will that make us better people? From the deadly sins of biking to tactics for dealing with cars, pedestrians, and other cyclists, this primer on bike travel is a must-read for cyclists new and seasoned alike.
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Bicycle Commuting
Even the Best Can Strike Out,
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Funny but with a serious point,
Overall, it’s written by a biker, for a bike loving crowd. I did really appreciate the fair-minded approach, and I think even non-cyclists would get something from reading this book – a better understanding of cycling and the particular pitfalls that come with it.
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More obnoxious than witty or funny,
A few pokes at cycling stereotypes? Fine. But the author goes overboard with that to the point I felt sorry for each and every group, and when that’s done he has the audacity to declare religion false, as if that has anything to do with the point of this book. Frankly, I’m left with the feeling that I should be considered stupid for being spiritual, interested in the environment, or even a bike owner. There’s a fine line between being funny and intelligently honest and just being plain mean.
The writing itself seems to depend on being snappy. Yes, the author is a fine writer who can certainly turn a phrase, but his problem is that he ultimately has nothing to say. Thirty pages in and I’m already sick of his complaints and advice and their heaping dose of “Look how funny I can be!”
The book was ultimately disappointing, and I’m pretty sure I got a headache from just trying to read it. This might be ultimately for the cycling cult, but I found it a waste of time.
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