Effective Cycling

Front Cover
MIT Press, 1993 - Sports & Recreation - 599 pages

The core of John Forester's concept of Effective Cycling is that bicyclists fare best when they act, and are treated in return, as drivers of vehicles, with the same rights and responsibilities that motorists have. In this new edition of his classic introductory work, Forester reasserts this idea in terms of practice and education as well as theory while also addressing--among much else--the two major forces that have shaped bicycling since the early 1980s: the proliferation of high-quality equipment and the seriously insufficient progress on the social, political, and psychological fronts. The book is filled with details, strategies, and tips that will be useful both to occasional cyclists and to those who enjoy cycling as a way of life--all drawn from the author's many years of experience as a cyclist, a Cycling Transportation Engineer, and the founder of the Effective Cycling Program.

 

Contents

Enjoying Cycling
Introduction xxi
The Bicycle
Mechanical Safety and Operational Inspection
Bicycles Tools Equipment and Clothing 6
Steering and Handling 30
Brakes 35
Gears 50
Basic Principles of Traffic Cycling 246
The Why and Wherefore of Traffic Law 247
Accidents 257
Where to Ride on the Roadway 279
Avoiding StraightRoad Hazards 303
Changing Lanes in Traffic 307
Riding the Intersections 313
Riding at Night 331

The Shapes of Bicycles 71
Dimensional Standards 76
Maintenance
WiredOn Tires and Pumps 82
Tubular Tires 98
Cleaning and Lubrication 108
Bearings 114
Installing Wheels in a Frame 130
Matching Hubs to Fork Ends 132
Adjusting Derailleurs 137
FiveSpeed Hub Gears 149
Cranks and Chainwheels 157
Chains 161
Freewheels and Clusters 165
Rims and Spokes 170
Building Wheels 175
Leather 183
The Cyclist
Posture Pedaling and Maneuvering 186
Emergency Maneuvers 201
Keeping Your Body Going 208
The Physiology and Technique of Hard Riding 219
The Cycling Environment
Riding in the Rain 362
Riding in Cold Weather 367
Commuting and Utility Cycling 378
Mountain Riding 396
Club Riding 408
Touring 424
Racing 452
Cycling with Love 467
Cycling in Society
How Society Pictures Cycling 490
BikeSafety Programs and the CyclistInferiority Phobia 505
The Federal Safety Standard for Bicycles 515
Revising the Laws to Control Cyclists 525
The Bikeway Controversy 534
The Minute Penalties for Killing Cyclists 550
Policies of Cycling Organizations and Bicycle Advocacy Organizations 555
Political Strategy for Cyclists 566
Appendixes
A Description of Effective Cycling Course 580
Final Exam for Effective Cycling Course 586
Index 589
Copyright

Other editions - View all

Common terms and phrases

About the author (1993)

John Forester is a bicycle transportation engineer and the author of Bicycle Transportation: A Handbook for Cycling Transportation Engineers (MIT Press). An experienced cyclist, cycling advocate, and onetime racer, he lives in Lemon Grove, California

Bibliographic information