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The Urban Cycling Survival Guide: Need-to-Know Skills and Strategies for Biking in the City
City cycling made simple North America’s cities have long been the domain of the car, but thanks to the undeniable benefits of active transport, bicycles have an increasing presence in the urban landscape. Yet our cities weren’t designed for bicycles, making for intimidating, and sometimes dangerous, environments for cyclists. The Urban Cycling Survival Guide is an accessible, straight-forward pocket guide that helps cyclists new to the urban environment negotiate all the challenges, obstacles, and rules ― spoken and unspoken ― that come with sharing the roads. From picking the bike that’s right for you to smart riding strategies, tips for drivers, and bike maintenance, Cycle Toronto founding executive director Yvonne Bambrick is your trusted guide. With illustrations to help clarify even the trickiest bike situation, The Urban Cycling Survival Guide is an indispensible, attractive set of training wheels that can make anyone a confident, joyful city rider.
224 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2015
8 people are currently reading
290 people want to read
About the author
Yvonne Bambrick
1 book2 followersYvonne Bambrick was the founding executive director of the Toronto Cyclists Union (now Cycle Toronto) and is currently working as an independent urban cycling consultant, event photographer, and coordinator of the Forest Hill Village Business Improvement Area.
Marc Ngui is a Toronto based professional creator. He studied architecture at the University of Waterloo and has pursued his passion for drawing and visualization across a wide variety of activities including illustration, comics, storyboards, animation, production design, scenic painting, videography and contemporary art exhibitions. He is one half of the eutopian art duo HappySleepy with partner Magda Wojtyra.
Marc Ngui is a Toronto based professional creator. He studied architecture at the University of Waterloo and has pursued his passion for drawing and visualization across a wide variety of activities including illustration, comics, storyboards, animation, production design, scenic painting, videography and contemporary art exhibitions. He is one half of the eutopian art duo HappySleepy with partner Magda Wojtyra.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
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July 26, 2024Quick read, had some good bits of info (esp about maintenance & general bike care). Makes me want to bike eeeeeeverywhere 🚴
May 25, 2017
I bought this for a bud who is feeling nervous about biking in the city for the first time. It's a really good primer for buying your first bike, road rules and very basic bike maintenance. Really good!
May 8, 2020
The writer is trying to promote cycling, wants to emphasize that it is safe etc, then the biggest chunk of the book is all the dangers and accidents you can get into. Minimal brief sections on maintenance, choosing a bike, etc.
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August 27, 2015http://rabble.ca/books/reviews/2015/0...
Review by Kaitlin McNabb
I consider myself an amateur bike rider: I like biking as a fun and pragmatic activity, I feel somewhat confident on the road and I can definitely see the health and environmental benefits of it. However, I don't know how to fix a flat tire and I still generally fear for my life on busy streets.
If this sounds familiar, or if you're just a fresh-faced beginner looking to get into biking, then Yvonne Bambrick's The Urban Cycling Survival Guide: Need-to-Know Skills and Strategies for Biking in the City is definitely for you.
Bambrick, the founding executive director of the Toronto Cyclists Union (now Cycle Toronto), has created an essential reference guide for urban cyclists. It provides straightforward and digestible information about how to incorporate urban biking, on any scale, in any city, into your life.
Read more here: http://rabble.ca/books/reviews/2015/0...
Review by Kaitlin McNabb
I consider myself an amateur bike rider: I like biking as a fun and pragmatic activity, I feel somewhat confident on the road and I can definitely see the health and environmental benefits of it. However, I don't know how to fix a flat tire and I still generally fear for my life on busy streets.
If this sounds familiar, or if you're just a fresh-faced beginner looking to get into biking, then Yvonne Bambrick's The Urban Cycling Survival Guide: Need-to-Know Skills and Strategies for Biking in the City is definitely for you.
Bambrick, the founding executive director of the Toronto Cyclists Union (now Cycle Toronto), has created an essential reference guide for urban cyclists. It provides straightforward and digestible information about how to incorporate urban biking, on any scale, in any city, into your life.
Read more here: http://rabble.ca/books/reviews/2015/0...
February 4, 2016
3.5 stars. I would rate it higher if I were a new cyclist and this was all new info to me.
An avid cyclist, I was gifted this book. Did not contain much information a regular cyclist wouldn't be aware of, but still a great overview of what I should know.
A must read for anyone new to city riding! Bike shops should encourage newbies to be purchasing this.
An avid cyclist, I was gifted this book. Did not contain much information a regular cyclist wouldn't be aware of, but still a great overview of what I should know.
A must read for anyone new to city riding! Bike shops should encourage newbies to be purchasing this.
February 26, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. I felt she had many details with visual. I really appreciate that she had resources and not opions. I feel I ride with more confidence and knowledge. I would recommend this to non confident riders that want to ride more.
March 23, 2015
Super basic information, but presented in a clear voice. Good for beginning urban cyclists.
February 19, 2019
I checked out this book a long time ago on a recommendation. It was so long ago that I forget who recommended it. Whoever you are, thank you!
This is an excellent guide to urban bike cycling, and I appreciate Yvonne's perspective on the challenges and joys of using a bike for transportation. There is lots of advice for people thinking of taking the plunge, with an overview of bike types and equipment recommendations. There's solid rules and illustrations for common scenarios when interacting with cars, intersection, and pedestrians. There's also advice for weather issues and crashes.
For me, bike commuting is often a solo activity when time and weather allows. Yvonne gives advice for running errands, transporting babies and children, biking with a partner or a crowd, planning for different weather conditions, biking for commuting and recreation and everything in between. There's also the practical perspective - I just feel better when I get to and from work on a bike rather than a car. One of the strengths of the book is that it expands on what you consider possible.
The perfect audience for this book would be someone thinking of taking up biking, to read in the winter or early spring as they consider a purchase and plan their route. It is also great as the "other manual" for a new rider, with lots of practical advice. It should be next to the energy bars at the counter of the bike shop, so the curious will grab a copy. I've been riding for a few years, on and off, and I learned a few things, and I'm encouraged to bundle up and get back into the habit.
This is an excellent guide to urban bike cycling, and I appreciate Yvonne's perspective on the challenges and joys of using a bike for transportation. There is lots of advice for people thinking of taking the plunge, with an overview of bike types and equipment recommendations. There's solid rules and illustrations for common scenarios when interacting with cars, intersection, and pedestrians. There's also advice for weather issues and crashes.
For me, bike commuting is often a solo activity when time and weather allows. Yvonne gives advice for running errands, transporting babies and children, biking with a partner or a crowd, planning for different weather conditions, biking for commuting and recreation and everything in between. There's also the practical perspective - I just feel better when I get to and from work on a bike rather than a car. One of the strengths of the book is that it expands on what you consider possible.
The perfect audience for this book would be someone thinking of taking up biking, to read in the winter or early spring as they consider a purchase and plan their route. It is also great as the "other manual" for a new rider, with lots of practical advice. It should be next to the energy bars at the counter of the bike shop, so the curious will grab a copy. I've been riding for a few years, on and off, and I learned a few things, and I'm encouraged to bundle up and get back into the habit.
September 25, 2024
I found this cute little paperback at a second-hand bookstore to add to my library collection. I found the most useful section was navigating the streetscape, which gave names to all the different paths and markings found on the road, like chevrons, bike lanes and bike boxes. Bambrick explains how these areas work in terms of safety and mentions how cycle-friendly cities in Europe first implemnted them and they’ve made their way into North American urban planning.
The illustrations are great, particularly the demonstrations on how to make a left-hand turn (three options available) and a driver’s blind spots when you find yourself behind a wide load. I was also pleased that my local bike store had already taught me the key guidance: ride predictably by holding your line, communicate your intentions, and pay attention to anticipate street activity.
I’ll leave you with this quotation which answers why I like to ride my bike to work in the mornings:
“Initially you may face some psychological barriers […] I’ve found that giving over to occasional, temporary, and usually minimal discomfort is inevitably rewarded by the benefits of arriving on time, with an endorphin boost and the knowledge that I’m a self-sufficient person – independence and freedom trump rain in my face or sweat on my brow.” (Bambrick 38)
The illustrations are great, particularly the demonstrations on how to make a left-hand turn (three options available) and a driver’s blind spots when you find yourself behind a wide load. I was also pleased that my local bike store had already taught me the key guidance: ride predictably by holding your line, communicate your intentions, and pay attention to anticipate street activity.
I’ll leave you with this quotation which answers why I like to ride my bike to work in the mornings:
“Initially you may face some psychological barriers […] I’ve found that giving over to occasional, temporary, and usually minimal discomfort is inevitably rewarded by the benefits of arriving on time, with an endorphin boost and the knowledge that I’m a self-sufficient person – independence and freedom trump rain in my face or sweat on my brow.” (Bambrick 38)
January 18, 2020
This is a great book for the beginner. As an experienced cyclists and biker commuter, I thought I might learn a few things when I borrowed a copy of this book from the library. I learned a few things, but not quite as much as I hoped. If I was just starting out though, this book would have been much appreciated. It was an easy read too. I'd recommend it to new riders. The illustrations are excellent as well.
August 31, 2025
The perfect book for anyone who wants to get into cycling! Goes over basic road rules, bike maintenance, things to look for when buying a new/used bike to name a few. Also goes over the positives and negatives of bike ridership, advocacy etc! A really good book overall.
Also to add covers rules and signage for Canada/North America which was helpful.
Also to add covers rules and signage for Canada/North America which was helpful.
August 13, 2021
Short introduction to bike riding in the city. The info is well organized and in small, easy to digest chunks. Not much on picking a bike, or physically learning the skills, those are directed to your local bike shop
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2018
Fantastic book - I’ve been riding on city streets for nearly 20 year and learned new things and deepened experiences. Highly recommend this enjoyable, engaging very practical read.
January 5, 2019
Great guide especially for those in Canada, but also provides common road safety information.
July 30, 2019
I read this because I'm biking in the city and wanted to make sure I wasn't making huge mistakes. It was fine, makes no assumptions and starts with the basics.
June 21, 2022
It's mostly basic info but a good resource for beginners. It should help to build some confidence before heading out into the concrete jungle.
July 13, 2022
Great, easy to read resource. Cleared up a lot of confusion I had about biking in the city !!
August 21, 2023
Straight forward guide. Includes some handy tips & tricks. Mostly based around Canada.
April 5, 2024
Short, friendly and accessible book about urban cycling.
April 21, 2021
A great book packed full of knowledge for all levels of bike riders .
April 17, 2015
The streets of Toronto have really changed since I used to commute to work most days of the year (mid '90s). I remember wearing my bright yellow Wetskins rain overalls and jacket and having to figure out to park my bike inside the office without making a mess. Those were the days when my employers allowed me to bring my bike into the building and park it for the day in some nook or corner. It's obvious that Yvonne Bambrick has a lot of personal experience with all things a commuting cyclist deals with as she addresses all things, even how to deal with the puddles your bike might make when parked inside.
People have very strong opinions on what cyclists should and shouldn't do - as I do! In my humble opinion no one should EVER ride the wrong way on a residential one-way, and no bike with a wheel span of over 12 inches should be a the sidewalk....but Yvonne covers these issues, not by getting into a debate, but instead dealing with the reality that this does occur and what you should to minimize any negative outcomes.
I consider myself a very experienced rider, but it has been a few years since I've commuted using my bike and I certainly did learn some things from reading this book. I concur with the advice that if you slow down while cycling you are less likely to have incidents or near incidents. For me, it's other cyclists on the road (and not cars) that pose the biggest threat, so wouldn't it be great if everyone read this book or enrolled in a CAN-Bike course. Highly recommend both.
People have very strong opinions on what cyclists should and shouldn't do - as I do! In my humble opinion no one should EVER ride the wrong way on a residential one-way, and no bike with a wheel span of over 12 inches should be a the sidewalk....but Yvonne covers these issues, not by getting into a debate, but instead dealing with the reality that this does occur and what you should to minimize any negative outcomes.
I consider myself a very experienced rider, but it has been a few years since I've commuted using my bike and I certainly did learn some things from reading this book. I concur with the advice that if you slow down while cycling you are less likely to have incidents or near incidents. For me, it's other cyclists on the road (and not cars) that pose the biggest threat, so wouldn't it be great if everyone read this book or enrolled in a CAN-Bike course. Highly recommend both.
September 9, 2021
I found this book after seeing the author's TEDx Talk a few days ago. I've spent the last several months working in my city's department that handles mobility and bike sharing programs (among other things), and my interest in all things bicycle has grown a lot in that time. I might not have bought this before a near-miss with a motorist while I was cycling last week ... but here I am, and I'm glad I read it.
Many municipalities have their own laws about things like helmets and riding on sidewalks, but some behaviors and signals are universal, and this book covers that. Defensive riding, adverse weather conditions, types of bikes, basic maintenance, and external resources are all available here. I cycled in my youth, started driving, and didn't get on a bike again for 25+ years. Since I'm just re-starting out, I'm happy for the time being to use my city's bike share program. If/when I decide to purchase a bike of my own, I will use this when I do my research.
TL;DR: Experienced cyclists will already know a lot (or all) of what's in this book. If you're getting into cycling in urban areas for the first time or after a long gap, it's worth a read.
Many municipalities have their own laws about things like helmets and riding on sidewalks, but some behaviors and signals are universal, and this book covers that. Defensive riding, adverse weather conditions, types of bikes, basic maintenance, and external resources are all available here. I cycled in my youth, started driving, and didn't get on a bike again for 25+ years. Since I'm just re-starting out, I'm happy for the time being to use my city's bike share program. If/when I decide to purchase a bike of my own, I will use this when I do my research.
TL;DR: Experienced cyclists will already know a lot (or all) of what's in this book. If you're getting into cycling in urban areas for the first time or after a long gap, it's worth a read.
April 9, 2015
This is a matter-of-fact but impressively thorough guide to every aspect of city cycling. It puts forth a compelling pro-cycling argument to those who are nervous about riding, although the chapters regarding interactions with cars felt a little one-sided and jingoistic at times. (I don't drive, but from what I've seen, drivers can be as frightened of cyclists as cyclists often are of drivers, so heightening that adversarial relationship, even unintentionally, seems unfair and counterintuitive. I think the chapter advising drivers on how to interact with bicyclists could have been longer, too.) I like the global approach to the advice, making the book useful for riders in any environment.
July 21, 2016
Easy to access starter info -- this book could be a great reassurance to cycling newbies! I adore the design, layout, and illustrations (great design can be great encouragement to engage with a book!) I also really appreciated the inclusion of mention of slow vélo with a great quote from Vélo Québec's vp: "I see the bicycle as an extension of walking. I like to go fast enough to be able to appreciate the environment, look at the people and anticipate emergency situations." Chill cycling is cool, y'all!
May 3, 2015
A great overview, including material I've seen at bicyclesafe.com and in the MTO guidebook (PDF 3.4MB).
Chapter material is well separated. Illustrations are clear.
As earlier reviewers point out, controversial topics are covered in a factual manner. I wish some had more detail. I will be looking for additional books on this topic. This was a great starting point.
Chapter material is well separated. Illustrations are clear.
As earlier reviewers point out, controversial topics are covered in a factual manner. I wish some had more detail. I will be looking for additional books on this topic. This was a great starting point.
June 13, 2015
Wonderful book for any kind of cyclist (if you own a bike, that is you!) wanting to take themselves to the next level in the world of bike and cycling whether it is riding in the city, becoming more aware of bike infrastructure and current movements in your city, or just following a really cool bike blog. Complete with a great list of resources at the back, this book truly has it all. Final Verdict: Accessible, and Superb.
June 29, 2015
Even though I have been cycling in Toronto for many years, I still found this book to be very useful - it had some good reminders about cycling safety and etiquette, and also really celebrates the joy of cycling. The section about choosing a type of bike also came in handy, because I was going through the process of test-riding new bikes while I read it.
November 3, 2015
Solid guide that I'd recommend to beginners. Good explanation of various road situations and great diagrams to clarify things. Doesn't take a very strong stance on divisive things like wearing a helmet and coming to a full stop at stop signs. There are a number of examples and cited resources that are specific to Canada.
February 27, 2015
I received this as a first read. I enjoyed this book. It has lot of facts and tips for urban cycling. It is written in a way that makes it very easy to read. Also love the diagrams and charts. A real fast fun read.
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August 27, 2015I reviewed this for rabble.ca, so I won't assign it a rating, but I do recommend for those interested in urban cycling!
Here is my "official" review: http://rabble.ca/books/reviews/2015/0...
Here is my "official" review: http://rabble.ca/books/reviews/2015/0...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews