MIT Press has just published an important new book of scholarly research on bicycle trends: Cycling for Sustainable Cities. The book covers topics ranging from safe bicycle infrastructure to social justice considerations for bicycle planning to cycling in a variety of cities and countries around the globe. It is an essential volume, filled with actionable data, that will instantly become essential for bike planners and advocates.

The editors are urban transportation researchers and professors, Ralph Buehler and John Pucher. CalBike interviewed them last year about their research on U.S. traffic fatalities and what California can learn about traffic safety from Europe. The book is a follow-up to and, to some extent, an update of their 2012 volume, City Cycling.

An essential and accessible reference for bicycle advocates

While the chapters are surveys of scholarly research, the writing style is accessible and the information is easy to digest. The contributors include bicycle advocates and bike program managers, as well as academics. CalBike’s Executive Director, Dave Snyder, is one of the authors of the chapter about cycling advocacy on three continents (North America, Europe, and Australia).

Whatever bicycle transportation topic you want to nerd out about, you’ll probably find it here. The chapter on bicycle parking is a welcome reference on a vital but too often overlooked topic. The bikeshare chapter includes valuable insights about what leads bikesharing systems to success or failure.

The chapter on e-bikes covers a subject that is at the top of mind at CalBike. The e-bike research showed that, given the chance to try out e-bikes, people start to use bikes for more and longer trips. But, not surprisingly, surveys find that e-bike riders trend older and wealthier. CalBike’s e-bike affordability program is a great way to bridge that gap and get more people on e-bikes.

“It’s rare that a scholarly book of data and research can serve as an essential reference in the age of global internet searches, but this is that book,” said Snyder. “It’s like a guidebook for bicycle advocacy and planning.”

Cycling for Sustainable Cities is an enlightening read as well as an excellent reference book. It’s a must-read for bicycle advocates.

Join a webinar for a deep dive into Cycling for Sustainable Cities

The first webinar on the book takes place on March 31. Anyone can register.

• What: Zoom webinar hosted by the Palm Beach Transportation Planning Authority (MPO)
• When: Mar 31, 2021, 9 am Pacific Daylight Time
• Topic: Cycling for Sustainable Cities
• Register in advance for this webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7QmUJnFQSr6aqih4Ym8kfQ
• After registering, you will receive a confirmation email from Eventbrite with information about joining the webinar. You’ll get a Zoom link and password, both specific to you, which you will need to access the webinar on March 31.