By Meghan Bartels / On April 17th, 2015

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, cycling was loved by many men with impressive facial hair. In the late 1800s, cycling was loved by many men with impressive facial hair.

Carl Benz, creator of the first car and mustache aficionado. Photo via Wikimedia Commons, in the public domain. Carl Benz, builder of the first car, bicycle enthusiast, and mustache aficionado. Photo via Wikimedia Commons, in the public domain.

This week, our office had a visit from new Island Press author Carlton Reid, whose book Roads Were Not Built for Cars published last week (he will also be visiting San Francisco for a public talk next Thursday). Roads Were Not Built for Cars traces the key role of bicyclists in the development of cars and the road system. Reid uncovers the overwhelming number of car companies and innovators who were avid bicyclists and who made connections between the two modes of transportation. The excerpt below introduces several of these pioneers, showing how their success with motors was grounded in their experience with pedals.
#forewordFriday
bikes
cars
cities
roads
transportation
urbanism
Daniel Pauly
Meghan Bartels

Publicity and marketing associate at Island Press; avid reader and tea drinker.