Outdoors 2009
Dropping Down River: Living and hiking the Illinois
Wheels Up: Pedaling Revolution: How Cyclists Are Changing American Cities
River Talk: Barry Lopez and community on the McKenzie River
Canopy Climbers: Climbing trees isn’t just for kids anymore
Reading and Rambling: Take a hike, read a book
Bugs Attack! Insects indoors and out
Wheels Up
Pedaling Revolution: How Cyclists Are Changing American Cities
By Molly Templeton
If you’re at all inclined to bicycle riding, Oregonian reporter Jeff Mapes’ engaging, thoroughly researched new book, Pedaling Revolution: How Cyclists Are Changing American Cities (OSU Press, $19.95), may spur you to new heights of two-wheeled transit. As I read, I kept setting aside the book to scour Craigslist for a new bike, check when Portland’s Bridge Pedal takes place or consider how long it would take me to bike to Valley River for a movie. If they can do it in Portland and New York, certainly I can do it here.
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Mapes isn’t just concerned with the individual details of getting part-time riders like myself onto a bike more often, or with encouraging kids and commuters to feel safe pedaling themselves to school or work, though he does cover those topics. Much of Pedaling Revolution is focused on the bigger picture issue of what needs to happen in cities, suburbs and towns to encourage nonautomobile transportation. Mapes visits Amsterdam, Portland (where he lives), New York and Davis, Calif., with planners and bike advocates, investigating (often on a bike) what these cities have done and are doing to make their streets and paths inviting to potential cyclists. Issues of environmental and personal health naturally arise, and Mapes addresses them with an impressive array of statistics, making a case for biking as not just better for riders and the environment, but far safer than it might seem, even in a hectic place like New York City.
But Pedaling Revolution isn’t all planning officials and Naked Bike Ride enthusiasts (Critical Mass and other aspects of bike culture also get a good look). Somewhere between the two sits the average cyclist, the commuter not invested in transit plans or in being part of a bicycle counterculture. While biking is becoming a more accepted part of the cultural landscape, in less bike-friendly places than Portland (or Eugene), it’s still barely a blip on many people’s radar. Bike advocates hoping to get more former drivers onto two wheels are up against a car-centric culture that thinks nothing of speeding but berates bicyclists for coasting through stop signs (yes, even in Eugene). Mapes’ book, with its careful look at cities that have made great leaps toward bike-friendliness, is example, explanation and exploration; it makes an eloquent case for the environmental and physical benefits of pedaling everywhere, and it’s full of interesting characters who do just that. It’s as accessible as a good bike path, and a fascinating ride. — Molly Templeton
A Note From the Publisher
Dear Readers,
The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.
That’s because of you!
Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.
Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.
We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.
And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.
None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.
As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.
Thank you for standing with us!
Publisher
Eugene Weekly
P.S. If you’d like to talk about supporting EW, I’d love to hear from you!
jody@eugeneweekly.com
(541) 484-0519