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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 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.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published March 9, 2012
72 people are currently reading
394 people want to read
About the author
BikeSnobNYC
3 books25 followersBikeSnobNYC (a.k.a. Eben Weiss) is the blogger behind bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com, a massively popular cycling blog. He also writes a monthly column in Bicycling magazine. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
May 12, 2019
BikeSnob takes aim at bike commuting.
While there were some humorous and poignant passages; this book was less entertaining than his first book and was at times (smh) tedious. It's a very short book. Of particular annoyance was his comparison of bike vs car with America's history with race.
Overall, I didn't learn much and I didn't laugh much. Not an awful book, just not as good as the first. Recognize that as a bike enthusiast, my expectations may have been skewed. I think casual cyclists and other folks may find it more rewarding. I still like the BikeSnob and I will continue to read his books and blog.
3.35ish
Read on kindle
"I believe that if we can figure out a way to emerge from the other end of our commute in a state of happiness, we can change the world."OK off to a little bit of a rocky start with a saccharine sound bite. But I admit, he does have the bike enthusiast identified:
"There are many ways to define what it means to be a geek, but certainly one definition has to be, “Someone who does something normal people do, only while wearing special pants and talking about it constantly.”This is defintely me at my bikiest!! And I think he's on to something when he notes the attitude of car drivers towards cyclists:
"It is the millions of people everywhere behind the wheels of motor vehicles who are simply vexed by the sight of people riding bicycles even though they’re not being inconvenienced by them, and the various media outlets who pander to and justify their irritation."
While there were some humorous and poignant passages; this book was less entertaining than his first book and was at times (smh) tedious. It's a very short book. Of particular annoyance was his comparison of bike vs car with America's history with race.
"Cyclists, too, experience “double consciousness” when it comes to getting around. Raised in a society in which cars are the norm…"This was after quoting W E B Dubois on the double consciousness black people feel when living in a prejudiced white society. Though I understand what he was trying to say, the comparison is so disparate its stunning. Or perhaps I am blissfully ignorant of the history of cyclists being lynched and the huge volumes of "Jim Crow" cycling laws. Alas ladies and gentleman, the unexpected benefits of white privilege. One gets to appropriate oppression and discrimination and apply it to something that has no comparison to the implications or consequences. The other serious omission was with relation to motorcycles and scooters. There is absolutely no mention of them in this book and they are among the most annoying things on the road for a cyclist. Where I live, they seem to think that bike lanes refer to two-wheeled vehicles and they do occasionally use them at my peril. NYC must not have this issue.
Overall, I didn't learn much and I didn't laugh much. Not an awful book, just not as good as the first. Recognize that as a bike enthusiast, my expectations may have been skewed. I think casual cyclists and other folks may find it more rewarding. I still like the BikeSnob and I will continue to read his books and blog.
3.35ish
Read on kindle
May 27, 2012
Snarky, irreverent, sometimes profane, so witty.
I've been reading the online rants and street cycling wisdom of author BikeSnobNYC (a.k.a Eben Weiss) for few years now, and must admit that his often irreverent outbursts and tirades frequently leave me laughing. So it's no wonder that when his book The Enlightened Cyclist became available, I grabbed it.
When I say elsewhere, that's because the author, a Brooklyn resident, has been writing for Bicycling Magazine for some time now, and he's now here in book for the second time. His chapter entitled "Annoying Cyclist Behavior" is an astute observation from a fellow cyclist who is a keen observer of these things. He opens it with his observations on the practice of 'salmoning' using wit to speak out against this dangerous practice in a way that had this rider nodding his head in agreement, yet laughing at his descriptions. That's followed by 'shoaling' and a number of other topics that will have most riders shaking their heads in between laughing at the often snarky terminology used by the author.
There's a chapter devoted to the backlash against cyclists, and as the author points out, it has a true historical perspective. He's done his research well, and just when you get wrapped up in the serious side of his explanations, he drops a bombshell that will leave you laughing.
And for cyclists around the world, his Bike Snob NYC blog, sometimes informative and often snarky, is well worth reading.
I've been reading the online rants and street cycling wisdom of author BikeSnobNYC (a.k.a Eben Weiss) for few years now, and must admit that his often irreverent outbursts and tirades frequently leave me laughing. So it's no wonder that when his book The Enlightened Cyclist became available, I grabbed it.
When I say elsewhere, that's because the author, a Brooklyn resident, has been writing for Bicycling Magazine for some time now, and he's now here in book for the second time. His chapter entitled "Annoying Cyclist Behavior" is an astute observation from a fellow cyclist who is a keen observer of these things. He opens it with his observations on the practice of 'salmoning' using wit to speak out against this dangerous practice in a way that had this rider nodding his head in agreement, yet laughing at his descriptions. That's followed by 'shoaling' and a number of other topics that will have most riders shaking their heads in between laughing at the often snarky terminology used by the author.
There's a chapter devoted to the backlash against cyclists, and as the author points out, it has a true historical perspective. He's done his research well, and just when you get wrapped up in the serious side of his explanations, he drops a bombshell that will leave you laughing.
And for cyclists around the world, his Bike Snob NYC blog, sometimes informative and often snarky, is well worth reading.
June 28, 2012
funny and thought provoking musings on commuting and freeways cars and trucks and bikes. author models his book on the bible, so guilt, golden rules, and stoning and taxes all are considered. this book is much better than his first one Bike Snob: Systematically & Mercilessly Realigning the World of Cycling in that it is less blog-like and more fully thought out essays with thesis, examples and conclusions. all his hard work writing is paying off in that weiss is becoming a good author instead of a good blogger.
his premise is bikers need to "know thyself", don't be an angry idiot, and try to enjoy an enjoyable activity.
his premise is bikers need to "know thyself", don't be an angry idiot, and try to enjoy an enjoyable activity.
October 20, 2013
My review for Bike Snob: Systematically & Mercilessly Realigning the World of Cycling is a bit more thorough, but a lot of my thoughts on these two "tomes" overlap.
I can handle snark, pretension, and condescension when it comes to writings such as this (see my review of the much better written and more significant Just Ride: A Radically Practical Guide to Riding Your Bike), but by the time I finished reading this book, I felt more empty and wasted than enlightened. BikeSnobNYC, or Eben Weiss, spends the majority of this book filling space with poorly developed jokes and homilies. Much of it is self-contradictory, as he admonishes acceptance of diversity within the world of bike commuting, and waiting at red lights behind the crosswalk, while with the other hand explaining most subjectively and trendily why so many kinds of cyclists are inferior, and acknowledging that waiting at red lights when the coast is clear makes no sense. He has the ignorant audacity to compare societal attitudes towards cycling to racism ("of yesterday," since he is obviously not experiencing the brunt end of racism or sexism that continues to this day)and, though he claims to have traveled and maybe even lived in various places other than NYC, the majority of his assertions only apply to cities as densely populated as NYC. Reading this book just made me glad I live in a smaller city (Denver), where cyclists riding on sidewalks is a much more prevalent problem than "shoaling" or "salmoning." The traffic lights in this city are set up so that a cyclist who is able to ride around 15-20 miles per hour on our mostly-flat streets can easily hit a long wave of green lights, rather than waiting for intense traffic at a red light every block.
I can handle snark, pretension, and condescension when it comes to writings such as this (see my review of the much better written and more significant Just Ride: A Radically Practical Guide to Riding Your Bike), but by the time I finished reading this book, I felt more empty and wasted than enlightened. BikeSnobNYC, or Eben Weiss, spends the majority of this book filling space with poorly developed jokes and homilies. Much of it is self-contradictory, as he admonishes acceptance of diversity within the world of bike commuting, and waiting at red lights behind the crosswalk, while with the other hand explaining most subjectively and trendily why so many kinds of cyclists are inferior, and acknowledging that waiting at red lights when the coast is clear makes no sense. He has the ignorant audacity to compare societal attitudes towards cycling to racism ("of yesterday," since he is obviously not experiencing the brunt end of racism or sexism that continues to this day)and, though he claims to have traveled and maybe even lived in various places other than NYC, the majority of his assertions only apply to cities as densely populated as NYC. Reading this book just made me glad I live in a smaller city (Denver), where cyclists riding on sidewalks is a much more prevalent problem than "shoaling" or "salmoning." The traffic lights in this city are set up so that a cyclist who is able to ride around 15-20 miles per hour on our mostly-flat streets can easily hit a long wave of green lights, rather than waiting for intense traffic at a red light every block.
May 13, 2012
Bikesnob's first book was better - much better.
The shtick for Bikesnob's blog entries that are good is that he will write somewhat crudely but amusingly about several different cycling related incidents, perhaps one serious (but not seriously presented), and perhaps two or so others that are not serious at all (like something about some goofy pro cyclist thing that happened) and then tie it up cleverly at the end. His first book was engaging and even if it was really an assembly of small bits and pieces it read smoothly enough. The second book reads like the kid who was told to produce a homework essay of 10 pages but really had no more than five pages to say - but manages to drag it out to 10 pages anyway. I swear that in one place there were two long paragraphs one after another that said the same thing, just worded differently.
One can deduce that Mr Snob didn't expect his first book to sell, so he tried hard - god help us, it even included "bikesnobnyc" stickers in it! (Was I supposed to put those on my bike? Crazy.) This time he seems to have assumed he is now an author so he didn't try much at all - with the results that one gets in such situations.
The shtick for Bikesnob's blog entries that are good is that he will write somewhat crudely but amusingly about several different cycling related incidents, perhaps one serious (but not seriously presented), and perhaps two or so others that are not serious at all (like something about some goofy pro cyclist thing that happened) and then tie it up cleverly at the end. His first book was engaging and even if it was really an assembly of small bits and pieces it read smoothly enough. The second book reads like the kid who was told to produce a homework essay of 10 pages but really had no more than five pages to say - but manages to drag it out to 10 pages anyway. I swear that in one place there were two long paragraphs one after another that said the same thing, just worded differently.
One can deduce that Mr Snob didn't expect his first book to sell, so he tried hard - god help us, it even included "bikesnobnyc" stickers in it! (Was I supposed to put those on my bike? Crazy.) This time he seems to have assumed he is now an author so he didn't try much at all - with the results that one gets in such situations.
August 12, 2016
While it's better written than "Just Ride", the other biking book I just finished, it's also not as influential, at least on me. BikeSnobNYC has a light, amusing style of writing that makes reading this a breeze, the biggest single problem is this. Take off the authors name and remove any specific place identifiers from the book and you'd still be convinced within 10 pages that he was from either NY or some other very large city infested with hipsters and horrible commuting. Quite simply, half the problems he identifies simply don't exist in my experience. I've never seen enough cyclists arrive at a light at one time for shoaling to occur, nobody ever circles (try it and get run over, I guarantee it), etc. The basic attitudes exist and his advice is pretty good, as it should be since it boils down mostly to the Golden Rule, plus a few specific observations on practice and mood control. But too much of the book is simply alien to my experience, or even I suspect that of many urban cyclists outside a handful of the largest cities.
November 8, 2016
I'm giving this book 4 stars for a few reasons. First off, Mr. Weiss is a talented writer and has a way with words that makes reading his books enjoyable. Second, I'm a die-hard cycling buff so the subject matter is right up my alley. Lastly, I lost track of the number of times I literally laughed out loud as I read it. All that said, I will echo some of the comments here about the book being a bit over the top on edginess. Some of Mr. Weiss's analogies were spot on and hilarious; others were obvious attempts to work in another crude comment about self-pleasuring. But I don't get offended easily so none of that bothered me, I just found the book to be a bit thin in places. And last but not least, when I see "Enlightened" in the title I expect the author to be better versed in mindfulness than Mr. Weiss. A lot of what he says and how he says it goes very much against the wisdom of more experienced mindfulness writers.
February 18, 2013
This was a light, enjoyable, humorous look at bicycle culture and the age-old conflict of bike versus car. The book is written with a religious spin (hence the "Enlightened" part), using biblical stories as bicycle-riding similes -- think Adam and Eve as the first consumers and the first commuters, once they were kicked out of the Garden of Eden. But be warned: if you are rather religious you may be offended by his irreverent treatment of the Bible, which he actually refers to as "the greatest work of fiction." As a commuter who sometimes does said commuting via bicycle, I found this book gave me a much better view of bicycling nerd culture. It gave me a very good sense of the road rage between bicyclists, cars, pedestrians, et al., in New York City. And the extreme forms of bicycle culture often embraced in Portland, OR.
July 13, 2014
I hadn't read anything from the self-named "Bike Snob", but assumed I wouldn't like it given his moniker. But I decided to see why he was so popular, and the answer in a word: Hilarious. This writer is really funny, as is this book from front to back. I'm always amazed when a humorist can keep the jokes rolling over an entire book.
It's a quick read, but I love humor that is perceptive and self deprecating. The theme here is commuting, and doesn't make the claim that cyclists have the high ground compared to any other modes of transportation. In fact -- after giving us the history of commuting starting with Noah's arc -- Bike Snob brings his enlightened argument down to this, "Can't we all just get along?"
It's a quick read, but I love humor that is perceptive and self deprecating. The theme here is commuting, and doesn't make the claim that cyclists have the high ground compared to any other modes of transportation. In fact -- after giving us the history of commuting starting with Noah's arc -- Bike Snob brings his enlightened argument down to this, "Can't we all just get along?"
June 25, 2012
I didn't always share the author's sense of humor (although I usually did), and frequently didn't understand some of the references he made, but I really appreciated the well-thought-out, cohesive belief system he developed for the book. As somebody who typically rides a bike around the Bay Area, I noticed some significant differences from the NYC bike culture, but one could still relate to the overall tone of the problems faced by commuters everywhere.
January 21, 2021
Much better than the first Bike Snob book. This one is a lot more useful to cyclists (aspiring cyclists as well). But the author could really tone down the pop culture references. It messes up the flow of the book when you encounter a parenthesis in every two lines of text.
April 8, 2018
I've been an irregular reader of BSNYC's (Eben Weiss's) blog (bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com/) for years. He plays an important role in the world of cycling, trying to keep cyclists from taking themselves too seriously. That's a pretty quixotic mission, but I'm glad he's doing it.
This book is a little different -- it's about commuting, and about the battle between driving commuters and cycling commuters. His unholier-than-thou attitude carries over well to the subject. He pleas for peace between cyclists and drivers, faulting both, although he's clear that it's nowhere near an even battle. Drivers carry 3000 pounds or more of armor and blunt weaponry, while cyclists fight back with 20 or so pounds of bike and lycra.
His chapters on "annoying behavior" are especially good -- cyclist on driver behavior (e.g., "passive assault" in which cyclists more or less dare drivers to hit or kill them), driver on cyclist behavior (e.g., the "right hook", which, if you are a cyclist, you're too familiar with -- I've been "right hooked" at least a half dozen times), and cyclist on cyclist behavior (e.g, "wheel-sucking" or drafting, which is an indispensable part of racing, but just rude on a bike trail). It's always hard not to recognize yourself in the things that Weiss calls out as either dangerous or ego-driven, or both. That's what I like about reading him -- he makes me laugh at myself.
It's a fast read, and it might even be effective in delivering its message to calm down, take it easy, and enjoy the ride. Unfortunately, drivers aren't likely to read it, but cyclists can do their part to defuse the battle.
This book is a little different -- it's about commuting, and about the battle between driving commuters and cycling commuters. His unholier-than-thou attitude carries over well to the subject. He pleas for peace between cyclists and drivers, faulting both, although he's clear that it's nowhere near an even battle. Drivers carry 3000 pounds or more of armor and blunt weaponry, while cyclists fight back with 20 or so pounds of bike and lycra.
His chapters on "annoying behavior" are especially good -- cyclist on driver behavior (e.g., "passive assault" in which cyclists more or less dare drivers to hit or kill them), driver on cyclist behavior (e.g., the "right hook", which, if you are a cyclist, you're too familiar with -- I've been "right hooked" at least a half dozen times), and cyclist on cyclist behavior (e.g, "wheel-sucking" or drafting, which is an indispensable part of racing, but just rude on a bike trail). It's always hard not to recognize yourself in the things that Weiss calls out as either dangerous or ego-driven, or both. That's what I like about reading him -- he makes me laugh at myself.
It's a fast read, and it might even be effective in delivering its message to calm down, take it easy, and enjoy the ride. Unfortunately, drivers aren't likely to read it, but cyclists can do their part to defuse the battle.
September 24, 2025
Part of me wants to cut the rating on this one start because so much of it was material recycled from his blog but most of what he recycled was good material and tied into the point I think he was trying to make with this book.
Unlike his last book which was pretty much just a declaration of his love for the bicycle and much material recycled in from the blog this book actually has something to say and it says it well. Unlike most cycling advocacy books The Snob manages to take a pretty middle of the road stance on the whole subject; something that is pretty unusual in books like this. Strong opinions and controversy are often what is used to sell books that advocate cycling or work to make the case that bikes should be more welcome on the road. This has, in my opinion, led to books and opinions that take things to an extreme. This book doers a great job of avoiding the extreme and trying to promote everyone meeting in the middle and making sure things are better for everyone; not just themselves.
Unlike his last book which was pretty much just a declaration of his love for the bicycle and much material recycled in from the blog this book actually has something to say and it says it well. Unlike most cycling advocacy books The Snob manages to take a pretty middle of the road stance on the whole subject; something that is pretty unusual in books like this. Strong opinions and controversy are often what is used to sell books that advocate cycling or work to make the case that bikes should be more welcome on the road. This has, in my opinion, led to books and opinions that take things to an extreme. This book doers a great job of avoiding the extreme and trying to promote everyone meeting in the middle and making sure things are better for everyone; not just themselves.
June 24, 2019
This book continually makes you forget you’re reading a book about bikes. The author has a tendency to go on random tangents that don’t involve cycling, which got irritating.
I also didn’t like the author’s voice AT ALL. He comes off as pompous and pretentious, and seemed to have a thesaurus at the ready while writing this book.
At one point the AUTHOR even acknowledges his own pretentious writing on page 165, “As cyclists we are oft (‘oft’ is pretentious for ‘often’) the victims of vehicular prejudice”.
Additionally I was confused about the tone of the book, because the author simultaneously tries to be conversational whilst using esoteric vocabulary.
I also didn’t like the author’s voice AT ALL. He comes off as pompous and pretentious, and seemed to have a thesaurus at the ready while writing this book.
At one point the AUTHOR even acknowledges his own pretentious writing on page 165, “As cyclists we are oft (‘oft’ is pretentious for ‘often’) the victims of vehicular prejudice”.
Additionally I was confused about the tone of the book, because the author simultaneously tries to be conversational whilst using esoteric vocabulary.
December 30, 2021
I really enjoyed the first Bike Snob book. This one sat on my shelves for a while before deciding to pick it up. It was an okay book, but not quite as interesting as the first. Commuting via bike in Texas is nothing like NYC, so perhaps it just doesn't translate well. The best part of the book is actually the end, where he sums up a lot of his experiences as - be nice to others. He acknowledges all the tensions between cyclists and motorists and everything in between, but in the end, we can only control so much, so people just need to do their best to spread the kindness and look out for those more vulnerable. Weird message for a bike book, but I liked it.
November 8, 2017
This book is a fantastic little nugget of humor and criticism. The author does a great job at dishing out criticism to both cyclists and non-cyclists. He does an excellent job of explaining how things like Critical Mass don't do much to further the cause of cyclists. My favorite part of the book is the hilariously irreverent history of the world via the Dachshund of Time, which really does show that we've been commuting for all of time, and it sucked just as much then as it does now.
Note, the book is written a lot better than this review.
Note, the book is written a lot better than this review.
December 21, 2020
Despite the snark, despite the smugness, despite the super cringey comparison of biking to du Bois’ double consciousness, it actually contains some really good advice and musings on the state of the practical cyclist. As silly as it sounds, I feel a bit more empowered by this book and more equipped to respond to the societal pressure of our car culture. At least it has given me a lot to think about. I especially like his idea of the Alchemy of the Mundane, taking drudgery and turning it into happiness by refocusing your attitude.
February 5, 2017
I learned some new nicknames for bad bicycling behavior. The whole book is written in a conversational style that includes profanity and so much pretentious vocabulary that I gave up looking up each meaning. On the whole it can was worth reading, but I will not spend money on another book by this author.
August 26, 2017
It started off witty and funny but maybe finished a bit repetitive. The New York bike scene is even busier and more aggressive than Melbourne but there is lot in common. There are some nice connections to philosophy.
December 11, 2019
It's time wasted.
Because, for me, it certainly was. I read bike books for information 1st, humor, 2nd: here was little information and far too much weak humor. Oh, I'm fifty years riding bikes in NYC and SF , and still at it.
Because, for me, it certainly was. I read bike books for information 1st, humor, 2nd: here was little information and far too much weak humor. Oh, I'm fifty years riding bikes in NYC and SF , and still at it.
January 5, 2021
I remember reading the Bike Snobs missives in Bicycling magazine.
Found this book at the library and enjoyed reading his belief that we can all be good commuters to one another as a way of making the world a better place be it on a bike or in a car. Acknowledgement goes further than judgement.
Found this book at the library and enjoyed reading his belief that we can all be good commuters to one another as a way of making the world a better place be it on a bike or in a car. Acknowledgement goes further than judgement.
May 30, 2017
Tried to read. The beginning was good, but I got tired of it. Might try again in the future.
May 7, 2018
Great writing- funny!
Loved "shoaling." So spot on!
Technology is already dating this book. You need to cover e-scooters!
Loved "shoaling." So spot on!
Technology is already dating this book. You need to cover e-scooters!
October 11, 2018
The problem with reading a book from author whose shorter articles you enjoy is that it may be too much of a good thing. And then towards the ends I was more of less skimming to get through it.
March 23, 2023
more like enlightened centrist (boom got 'em)
really highlights how hard it is to write funny prose
really highlights how hard it is to write funny prose
May 9, 2023
Didn't learn anything and not particularly riveting
May 5, 2024
Only read the first chapter but already I really don't like the writing style. Overwritten. The humor doesn't work for me. The references are incredibly niche.
January 10, 2025
Quick and witty, as a cyclist and former bike commuter I could relate and really enjoyed the snarkyness
June 20, 2025
Really interesting narratives about cycling in New York. Astute observations about biking. Good philosophies on interacting with others, even when it’s difficult and terrifying
September 11, 2012
The sarcasm is a bit much at times, but I'm so glad to have read this, at a friend's recommendation. The book covers lots of irritating no-no's on the part of both drivers and bike commuters--for instance,"salmoning," which is a term I hadn't heard before to describe the outrageously stupid practice of riding one's bike against the flow of traffic. It's satisfying to be able to put a name to that, along with "the right hook," where a car simply cannot resist racing around you (as you are traveling straight through an intersection on your bike) and then slowing way down to turn right in front of you. This obviously causes a collision or, more often, thanks to your own awareness of vulnerability, having to abruptly squeeze hard on your brakes and lose all momentum rather than your life or limbs. This irritating driver behavior is second only to "distracted driving," powered by compulsive, all-too-common cell phone habits.
But along with reviewing many of the scenarios and dangerous practices that plague our daily commutes, the book is after something else: inspiring readers to pursue an enlightenment based in the mundane. Really, it boils down to two goals, as the author notes near the end of the book. We should embark on each commute with 1) a goal of not getting killed, and 2) "to get all the way to my destination without getting angry."
The author grounds his argument in several key moments drawn from his own experience. The one that especially sticks, in terms of reminding me that we are first and foremost fellow human beings, not our chosen modes of transit, is his recollection of riding his bike over the bridge into Manhattan during 9/11, after his wife called from her not-going-anywhere car eight blocks from the World Trade Center. Another moving moment is as follows:
"... what really made me start to enjoy stopping at lights was when, after a while, I started encountering sincere, guileless gratitude ... I'll never forget stopping at a red light during the evening rush hour in Manhattan as an elderly man slowly crossed the street. As I did so he turned to me in amazement that quickly turned to sweetness:
"'Thank you for stopping. What a beautiful young man.'
"I wasn't even a young man at the time, and I certainly wasn't beautiful then or arguably ever, but even so,m the words actually touched me. I thought about what a pain in the ass it probably was for him to shuffle around town as pedestrians crowded him and cars cut him off and bicycles buzzed him, and with one considerate act I may very well have changed the entire tenor of his day."
Anyway, good, quick, worth-it read, and a good argument for the idea that change begins in each one of us, not in better infrastructure, other people not being assholes, and on and on and on (but those things help too :-)
But along with reviewing many of the scenarios and dangerous practices that plague our daily commutes, the book is after something else: inspiring readers to pursue an enlightenment based in the mundane. Really, it boils down to two goals, as the author notes near the end of the book. We should embark on each commute with 1) a goal of not getting killed, and 2) "to get all the way to my destination without getting angry."
The author grounds his argument in several key moments drawn from his own experience. The one that especially sticks, in terms of reminding me that we are first and foremost fellow human beings, not our chosen modes of transit, is his recollection of riding his bike over the bridge into Manhattan during 9/11, after his wife called from her not-going-anywhere car eight blocks from the World Trade Center. Another moving moment is as follows:
"... what really made me start to enjoy stopping at lights was when, after a while, I started encountering sincere, guileless gratitude ... I'll never forget stopping at a red light during the evening rush hour in Manhattan as an elderly man slowly crossed the street. As I did so he turned to me in amazement that quickly turned to sweetness:
"'Thank you for stopping. What a beautiful young man.'
"I wasn't even a young man at the time, and I certainly wasn't beautiful then or arguably ever, but even so,m the words actually touched me. I thought about what a pain in the ass it probably was for him to shuffle around town as pedestrians crowded him and cars cut him off and bicycles buzzed him, and with one considerate act I may very well have changed the entire tenor of his day."
Anyway, good, quick, worth-it read, and a good argument for the idea that change begins in each one of us, not in better infrastructure, other people not being assholes, and on and on and on (but those things help too :-)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews