Bike Cult: The Ultimate Guide to Human-Powered Vehicles

A bike fanatic's ultimate trip, this comprehensive tour of bike culture is packed with information on every aspect of bikes and cycling--from bedrock to high-tech, from Leonardo to Schwinn, from rickshaws to rollerblades--spanning the "golden age" of bicycling (the 19th century) to the present. 800 illustrations. 100 photos.

By bike and biker, Perry means a human-powered conveyance and its rider. Hog-humpin' Sonny Barger and friends are here only in freedom-lovin', road-hittin' spirit. Perry loads his book so full of information, curiosities, and insightful linkages it is hard even to list the contents and begin to do it justice. Suffice it to say that if it's related to biking, it's here; moreover, it's accessible, thanks to an index, a bibliography, notes, and six appendixes, all marvelous. From the very earliest development of human-powered transportation to a vast listing of contemporary cycling clubs, Perry's magnificent resource delivers. The text is engaging, even for those with a casual interest in biking, and the pithy quotations from historical figures constitute a recurring delight. To complete a bicycling library or to serve as a single resource on bikes, bikers, and biking, this is certainly the goods. Mike Tribby

While there are many titles in print on the subject of bicycles, each of which focuses on specific aspects related to cycling, this is the first to combine every topic related to biking or human-powered vehicles, including technology, history, sociology, amusement, creativity, spirituality, and physiology. This impressive piece of work in both scope and detail provides a complete look at the activities surrounding bicycling and also promulgates an argument for a better way of life and a practical alternative to the American car culture. Sure to find high interest among the 100 million American bicyclists, this book is highly recommended for reference collections in public libraries. Academic and research institutions may also want to consider because of the sheer wealth of information presented.?Eric C. Shoaf, Brown Univ. Lib., Providence
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.