| Subtitle | A Bumpy Ride on Britain’s National Cycle Network |
| By | Laura Laker |
| Published By | |
| ISBN | 9781399406468 |
| Non-Fiction Genre | Sports |
| Publication Date | 05/05/2024 |
| Price | 16.99 |
Synopsis
Half of the UK population live within a mile of the National Cycle Network but many don’t even know it exists. What has gone right – and wrong – with this national infrastructure? Cycling journalist Laura Laker delves into this maddening, patchy and at times dangerous network, and its similarly precarious politics.
Authors Biography
Laura Laker is one of the most respected cycling journalists in the UK, with decades of experience and unparalleled connections across politics and campaign organisations. She co-hosts the Streets Ahead podcast, is the co-founder of Active Travel Media Awards, and writes for publications including the Guardian and the Sunday Times.
Reviews
‘Just wonderful – two wheels good, Laura Laker brilliant’ – Jeremy Vine
‘Laker lays a finger on the nation’s cycling pulse, and finds, despite it all, there is a lot of life.’ – Ned Boulting
‘Really eye-opening and instructive’ – Louise Haigh, Secretary of State for Transport
Delighted this title is included in this great collection of books and authors. Buy, read, comment and vote for it.
An insightful, informative and enjoyable read.
It’s a lovely ramble through the ups, downs and sideways of the National Cycle Network. Let’s not forget the real hero, though. The plucky little plant 🪴 who made the journey so iconic and (I hope) survived the journey!
Enjoyed this hugely. Informative and fun.
This is a superbly written book that seamlessly weaves autobiography, interviews, and travelogue into aa single excellent narrative.
This is essential reading for anyone interested in cycling in the UK, and particularly the national cycle network.
Laura Laker has crafted a wonderful, warm, yet honest love letter to the national cycle network. The book has interviews with some of the most influential people in UK cycling, and the book has amusing anecdotes through it too.
The NCN’s shortcomings are not overlooked or ignored by any means, but the book is a well researched critique.
I would suggest that it could be the most important books about UK cycling of modern decades.
This is not only an eye-opening ride around the U.K. on a cycle, but a personal journey (sprinkled with good humor). And it’s an argument for acknoweldgement that cycling is an increasingly important means of transportation that should be financed by the government. Just like the infrastructure for cars and trucks. It was a miracle that volunteer power built most of the National Cycling Network! I learned so much as a cycling advocate new to how the U.K. does things–or not.
Brilliant book – I think it should be essential reading for everyone in the UK, regardless of how they travel. It’s insightful, surprising and creates an enthusiasm within you for things as they are to change.
An excellently researched book about how good (and bad) cycling can be in the UK.
Useful account not just of the NCN but cycling in the UK. Well written and informative.
Useful account of not just the NCN but cycling as a form of transport in the UK.
Such an important and influential book given that the new DfT lead (Secretary of State for Transport) has read it and is picking up on the ideas raised.
Must read.
An excellent book that manages to be entertaining and cheerful despite the maddening failures in what should be nationally important infrastructure. If everyone read this, the UK might be a better place.
A highly entertaining read but full of incredible facts & figures about our cycle network!
A joyful exploration of the history of Britain’s National Cycle Network
A joy to read. Inspired me to dust off my bike and get out riding again!
A fantastic book, really hope it wins!
A great journey, over too soon
A brilliant book which is part travelogue, part history and part a passionate argument for the mental and physical health benefits of cycling: I loved it
I was lucky enough to get a press preview PDF and could tell this would become an influential book.
Lots of deep research and insight that policy makers can learn from.
Oh, and I also have the paperback and it’s a great resource for the bookshelf.
Laura takes on across UK’s cycle networks exploring how and why we have the mixed ability mess of great and mediocre routes. Her insights help us push for more and better quality everywhere.
An excellent book that explains the complex issues that stand in the way of much needed active travel reform and provides realistic suggestions for ways that a forward thinking government could overcome these. The highs and lows of the NCN are laid out before the reader as Laura takes you on a journey around this patchwork quilt of haphazard infrastructure; meeting NCN celebrities and guardians who have helped build and maintain it. A fascinating timeline of the development of the NCN and those who tirelessly strive to make a National Cycle Network an accessible and reliable reality for all.
This is a fantastic read. I pray that our policymakers will read this book and act on the recommendations. Well done Laura
Great book to read and as a gift.
This should be required reading for every councillor in the UK