For obvious reasons (if you know what my professional life has been since 2012, that is) these types of books take up a fair amount of shelf space at my house and occupy memory on my e-reader. Buy these at your local bookstore if you can! Links below may go to Bookshop.org; I’ll donate any incidental affiliate income to organizations that advocate for safe, accessible biking and walking for all. The link goes to the publisher’s site if the book is still available from them for direct order and I couldn’t find it on Bookshop.
As I review this list I’m realizing yet again what a fantastic opportunity I’ve had through my life as an advocate and professional to meet quite a few of these authors. If you can’t be out on your bike, reading about how to make bicycling better for all isn’t a bad way to spend an afternoon. Happy paging and pedaling!
Update note on adding books: When I share this post I receive suggestions for titles and I’m adding those at the bottom of the list. Some are bike-adjacent and I’m not trying to build an exhaustive list on urban planning issues generally. I’m adding ones on topics that can provide additional context for planning more bikeable and bike-friendly networks and places for people of any age or ability to ride with more comfort and safety.
- Inclusive Transportation: A Manifesto for Repairing Divided Communities, by Veronica Davis
- I just received my copy from my local bookstore and can’t wait to start reading it! I’ve had the opportunity to meet Veronica and hear her speak and this will be great.
- Bike Lanes Are White Lanes: Bicycle Advocacy and Urban Planning, by Melody L. Hoffman
- Bicycle/Race: Transportation, Culture, & Resistance, by Adonia E. Lugo
- Bicycle Justice and Urban Transformation: Bicycling for All?, edited by Aaron Golub, Melody L. Hoffman, Adonia E. Lugo and Gerardo F. Sandoval
- Bikenomics: How Bicycling Can Save the Economy, by Elly Blue
- Building the Cycling City: The Dutch Blueprint for Urban Vitality, by Melissa Bruntlett and Chris Bruntlett
- Curbing Traffic: The Human Case for Fewer Cars in Our Lives, by Melissa Bruntlett and Chris Bruntlett
- Joyride: Pedaling Toward a Healthier Planet, by Mia Birk
- Pedaling Revolution: How Cyclists Are Changing American Cities, by Jeff Mapes
- One Less Car: Bicycling and the Politics of Automobility, by Zack Furness
- The Cyclist’s Manifesto: The Case for Riding on Two Wheels Instead of Four, by Robert Hurst
- Pedal Power: The Quiet Rise of the Bicycle in American Public Life, by J. Harry Wray
- How Cycling Can Save the World, by Peter Walker
- Mobility Justice: The Politics of Movement in an Age of Extremes, by Mimi Sheller
- Cycling for Sustainable Cities, edited by Ralph Buehler and John Pucher
- There Are No Accidents: The Deadly Rise of Injury and Disaster–Who Profits and Who Pays the Price, by Jessie Singer
- Feminist City: Claiming Space in a Manmade World by Leslie Kern
Updated July 17, 2023 and July 20, 2023, thanks to comments on the post and on Mastodon.
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Thanks for that suggestion, Iain! You’re right, and I realized it’s because it’s in the pile waiting to be read and not on the shelf I looked at to compile the list. I’ll add it.
Thank you for your book list. You did not include Jessie Singer “There are no accidents” discussing the rise of the Industrial Age/capitalism at expenses of safety of pedestrians & cyclist. Unfortunately in Australia we are following US with large SUV, white line bike lanes, and recently removal of protected bike lanes as impacts vehicle parking.