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167th out of 208 books
—
122 voters
Joyride: Pedaling Toward a Healthier Planet
by
Mia Birk
* New edition includes "50 Keys to Transforming Your Community," a detailed checklist for communities trying to adapt bike-friendly and more sustainable policies
* Successful in the first self-published edition, this new edition will now be available to book and outdoor retailers for the first time
Joyride tells the inspiring story of Mia Birk's twenty-year crusade to integr...more
* Successful in the first self-published edition, this new edition will now be available to book and outdoor retailers for the first time
Joyride tells the inspiring story of Mia Birk's twenty-year crusade to integr...more
Paperback, 225 pages
Published
October 2nd 2010
by Cadence Press
(first published 2010)
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MOUNTAINEERS BOOKS' STAFF PICK (I work for Mountaineers Books): This book was initially self published but is now offered by Mountaineers Books. "Joyride" is the story of Mia Birk's experience as the bicycle program coordinator for Portland, Ore., from the early '90s forward when that city decided to become bicycle friendly. As a bicycle commuter myself, struggling daily through the streets of Seattle, Wash., I found her story both interesting and fun to read.
Change is never easy, and all the ha...more
Change is never easy, and all the ha...more
It was a fun book which gave a solid memoir of what Mia Birk has gone through(among others)to improve non-motorized transportation in Portland Oregon. I only read the book because it was given to me free of charge at the Bicycle and Pedestrian Conference I attended, however was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I read it in less than a week (which is great for me).
Mia's flare and real life take on challenging issues was fun. I especially like how she brings real characters to life t...more
Mia's flare and real life take on challenging issues was fun. I especially like how she brings real characters to life t...more
I really loved Joyride. It adds an iterative history and grittiness to Portland's bike-friendly evoluation, which makes bike-friendly infrastructure an easier sell here in TX (when I explain that Portland wasn't always a two-wheeled mecca).
Technically speaking, the writing/editing isn't perfect, but the concept of the book is exactly what a lot of people need, right now. I learned a great deal, and I feel less alone in the world of bike/ped advocacy, and those are the two best things I got fro...more
Technically speaking, the writing/editing isn't perfect, but the concept of the book is exactly what a lot of people need, right now. I learned a great deal, and I feel less alone in the world of bike/ped advocacy, and those are the two best things I got fro...more
The title of this book is misleading as to what it's actually about: a memoir by the woman who held the job of Bicycle Coordinator for the City of Portland during its decades of rebirth as America's #1 cycling city. For two decades, Mia Birk had a hand in every piece of bike-related change in Portland, from lane striping and bike boxes on roadways to creating events like Sunday Parkways, the Bridge Pedal, and Bike to Work Day. It's a fascinating read for Stumptown locals and cyclists, or those o...more
Like Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, the writing was not quite my style. Yet, I got an incredible amount out of each of them.
Birk was the bike planner in Portland during the 1990s, when the city's bike infrastructure took off. Her influence is everywhere in the city. I particularly liked the section on her work with Dallas, Texas. I expect I will face many of the same challenges as she did when I return to the South. Underlying theme: you have to fight like hell to bring change to this world.
Birk was the bike planner in Portland during the 1990s, when the city's bike infrastructure took off. Her influence is everywhere in the city. I particularly liked the section on her work with Dallas, Texas. I expect I will face many of the same challenges as she did when I return to the South. Underlying theme: you have to fight like hell to bring change to this world.
If you want to know how Portland Oregon got to be so bike-friendly a town, you need to read this book. Chock full of story after story of how Mia shaped the city's bureaucracy to accommodate the bicyclist. Check out this review by BikePortland.org for the details.
http://portfo.li/o/58026-from-bikes-t...
As Mia says, "Enjoy the ride!"
http://portfo.li/o/58026-from-bikes-t...
As Mia says, "Enjoy the ride!"
This was a great (and inspiring) overview of Portland's journey to bike friendliness. Of course, biking is of special interest to me, but even if you're not so into the two-wheeled transportation, it's a great look at how cultural and legal change happens, even in a system mired in bureaucracy. I'm ready to go save the world now:)
A great read, taking you through the history of how Portland became the #1 bicycle city in the United States. Enlightening stories documenting the challenges and a fantastic "how-to" lesson on courage and persistence. Truly enjoyed the book.
Inspirational, humorous and witty look at the years of hard work that has been done by many to 'pave the way' for us to get out on our bikes more often - with the positive results of healthier bodies and happier communities.
If you have any concern about finding a path out of the car-centric reality we've created in this country, Mia's account of the (hopefully) early stages of Portland's bicycle renaissance is a must read. As a resident who has watched some of the ups and downs of that journey from the the relative outside, her glimpse inside the bureaucracy, personalities and history of our city's transformation are fascinating.
Hopefully Portlanders who read this book will see reason for resolve to see the work f...more
Hopefully Portlanders who read this book will see reason for resolve to see the work f...more
since much of this book is about what made my town into the ideal place for me to live, i'm kinda in love with it and/or mia. and she is a captivating speaker
May 12, 2011
Karen
added it
Very inspiring story of how Portland became the bike mecca. I'm ready to follow in Mia's footsteps and my first step is getting the book bike together!
I started this in the early evening and finished near midnight. But then I use the phrase 'multimodal'.
Really enjoyed this book and learned so much. Warning, if you aren't riding a lot already, you will crave riding more than ever!
This book is both inspiring and disheartening. Birk's Joyride is a real world example of how incremental change can be. I say disheartening because it is sad that bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure is still so lacking after people like Birk have been fighting for it for years. At the same time, it is an inspiration because those small efforts do make a difference. I wish more city planners, highway department employees, etc. would read this book.
I don't read many business or political books, so the ins and outs of persuading people to make transportation changes was new and compelling. If you're interested in bike advocacy, I recommend "Pedaling Revolution" too.
A fun, easy read that chronicles the first 20 years of the American bicycle renaissance, from the perspective of one of its principle architects.
Apr 29, 2013
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Nov 10, 2010 04:39pm