For a while now I’ve been meaning to pick up a copy of the new book by Jeff Mapes called Pedaling Revolution: How Cyclists Are Changing American Cities. In today’s New York Times, Talking Heads’ David Byrne gives us a summary. The article, “Bike Messenger,” gives Byrne’s take on the new book and what it means for him, someone who’s been riding a bike in NYC for 30 years. The take away is that the paradigm shift for bicycling as a more normal form of transportation will happen when more women are seen on bikes:

“As Mapes point out, when more when begin riding, that will signal a big change in the direction of safety and elegance. I can ride rill my legs are sore and it won’t make riding any cooler, but when attractive women are seen sitting upright going about their city business on bikes day and night, the crowds will surely follow.”

I think that’s part of it, and I certainly see more women riding, but without more bike lanes and protected bicycle facilities, like the 9th Ave separated bike way, I think only the bravest women (or European imports) will take to the streets. In this respect, we need to applaud the City’s bicycle group for rolling out nearly 200 miles of new bike lanes in only the last three years.

If the DOT can keep that up, NYC will indeed be at the forefront of the pedaling revolution.

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