I have read about half the book...I can't say I see the point of going through the history of the bicycle (along with America's ever-growing love affair with the car and the evolving city landscape), but I may get it as I keep reading.
My take so far: The conventional biking wisdom has been to ride the bike in the same way as you would a car and expect to be seen, and treated like any other vehicle...but this "wisdom" has led to a lot of car-on-bike collisions...the reality is that one must not count on other (vehicle) drivers to see us (bikers), but bikers should ride as though we don't expect to be seen by other drivers at all (thereby not putting our safety in others' hands, but keeping responsibilty for our own safety with our own selves).
I am now in the part of the book that deals (quite technically) with how to bike-ride in congested city traffic (a bit overkill for me, the town I drive through only has about 6 traffic-lighted intersections in total, and I only incounter one of those when I commute)...anyway I like the book, and it isn't just "feel-good" psychological fluff (which is probably what I wanted, candy for the brain)...so I am getting some fiber, it won't hurt me...
Stay out of "The Door Zone"
