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In The City Of Bikes: The Story Of The Amsterdam Cyclist (2013)

by Pete Jordan(Favorite Author)
3.67 of 5 Votes: 1
ISBN
0061995207 (ISBN13: 9780061995200)
languge
English
publisher
Harper Perennial
review 1: neatly written history of bikes in amsterdam and holland, and travel autobio of moving and living in amsterdam from usa. dutch having a fairly unique take on bicycles, city life, transportation, peoples's rights, OTHER peoples's rights, and how best to balance freedom, liberty, compassion, openmindedness, fairness, justice, there-ya-go-ness, personal responsibility.so: no helmets really used much ; multiple locks used and still huge bike thief problem ; infrastructure constraints (not enough room not enough money) overcome by sheer bull headedness (lots of bike ways, but not enough, lots of cars, but they must wait there turn, cold nasty weather but just bundle up) interesting history like when nazis took over and shut things down, partisans used bikes to move clandes... moretinely. also, during '60's there was a lot of direct action, only nominally about bikes, but as a practicality, bikes were involved, and now? bikes everywhere. this book needs way more pictures, maps, biblio, etc
review 2: Somewhat odd book, not quite history, not quite memoir, but a mash-up of both. Interesting enough read by an amateur historian obsessed with enumerating and counting things (number of pregnant women spotted on bikes? Got you covered. Number [and types] of chairs carried on bikes by Amsterdammers? No problem, he's counted it for you.).Probably would have liked more memoir, and a heavier editing hand on the history.All things considered though, after he describes Amsterdam and its cyclists, I think I'd rather move to Copenhagen. less
Reviews (see all)
purv
It's a pretty good read, especially for a new Amsterdam cyclist. Some interesting historical pieces.
Michelle
LOVED this book. Transported me back to Amsterdam at the first page!
jessie
interesting look at Amsterdam's history through the lens of cycling.
shenellh
Fun to read, especially while visiting Amsterdam!
juli
lost interest had to stop half way
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