Home > Fit City > Archives > 2009 > September > 11 > Entry
David Byrne talks bikes in Austin; win his book!
For 30 years, David Byrne has used a bike to get around New York City. He even cycles one when he’s touring overseas.
He writes about three decades of pedaling in his new book, “Bicycle Diaries” (Viking, $25.95).
In two weeks he’s coming to Austin to share his thoughts on cycling. He’ll speak as part of a joint panel discussion at 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27 at the Paramount Theater. Admission to the event, sponsored by Bicycle Sport Shop, the League of Bicycling Voters, Austin Public Library Friends Foundation and the Yellow Bike Project, is free!
Also on the panel? Rob D’Amico, president of the League of Bicycling Voters; Annick Beaudet, bicycle pedestrian co-ordinator for the City of Austin; and urban planner Jana McCann.
Byrne devotes about 34 pages of his 300-page book to biking through American cities like Detroit, Baltimore, Niagara Falls and — surprise! — Sweetwater, Texas. He spends four pages on that West Texas town, where he ate at a steak restaurant, read the local paper and rode through older parts of town. He describes people selling watermelons in parking lots and an American flag fashioned from plastic cups jammed into a chain-link fence.
His assessment? “Most U.S. cities are not very bike-friendly. They’re not very pedestrian-friendly either.”
Then it’s on to bigger digs, like Berlin, Buenos Aires, Istanbul and Manila. An appendix at the end of the book includes tips on bike security, rider safety and clothing. There’s even a list of bicycle activist organizations, and sketches of some funky bike racks he designed for the New York City Department of Transportation.
Want to win a copy of Byrne’s book?
Post on this blog, telling me why you deserve it. Best answer wins.
Permalink | Comments (11) | Post your comment Categories: cycling
Comments
Click here to report comment abuse.
By John in Austin
September 11, 2009 11:38 AM | Link to this
cause I’m first? :)
By Mary
September 11, 2009 2:15 PM | Link to this
So I’ll be inspired to start making sense of cycling and find myself a city to live in!
By Tom
September 11, 2009 2:43 PM | Link to this
I was just listening to True Stories and thinking of David driving in his big caddy in that movie. Maybe with the book I can ride a cycle around all the big metal buildings.
By lucre
September 11, 2009 4:27 PM | Link to this
Mmm mmmm, well, I deserve it because if you don´t speak Spanish tendrás que averiguar realmente porque lo merezco. My English is horrible!!! y por eso escribo en español.
Bueno, mmm, lo merezco porque vengo de un lugar del mundo muy pequeñito donde el libro no va a llegar nunca, soy una gran admiradora de DB, lo sigo desde hace años y ADORO andar en bicicleta. A todo esto agrego que el libro me serviría para “improve” my English.
Y como muestra de agradecimiento, dejo una historia contada por Mr DB en su journal sobre la ciudad donde vivo, Montevideo, vista desde su bici:
Octubre 2004
I go for a bike ride at noon the next day. There are people out for a Sunday stroll, catching the sun and fishing, their thermoses of hot water tucked under their arms and a cup of mate in their hands. Others simply lean against the sea wall, thermoses at the ready, their faces turned to the sun.
Thanks, Pamela.
p.s: Si puede ser autografiado mejor, ok?. YO PAGO LOS GASTOS DE ENVIO!!!. JA JA JA!!! (en caso de ganar, obviamente)
By Bob
September 11, 2009 5:05 PM | Link to this
I think I deserve the book because I love your articles, I love David Byrne and I love cycling - I mountain bike on the greenbelt everyday afterwork. I went all the way to Berkeley this summer just to see David in concert. It was one of the best I have ever gone to. Oh and, I love early morning ski runs on Lake Austin. :) One more thing - Bicycle Sports Shop is the only place I shop for my bike. See - I really deserve it!!
By Bob
September 11, 2009 5:08 PM | Link to this
I deserve it because:
I love your articles I love David Byrne - I went all the way to Berkeley CA this summer just to see David in concert I love cycling - I mountain bike the greenbelt every afternoon. I love early morning ski runs on Lake Austin I love Bicycle Sports Shop - it’s the only bike shop I trade at.
By Pam LeBlanc
September 11, 2009 5:28 PM | Link to this
Hmmmmm, sounds like someone is trying to win Brownie points. Now if you’d say you also love margaritas, beagles, camping and scuba diving you might have a chance…
By gilbert
September 12, 2009 1:44 AM | Link to this
david byrne would think justifying winning his book through demonstrated knowledge uncool. he would prefer karma. so give it to me.
By AmelieWannabe
September 14, 2009 9:19 AM | Link to this
I appreciate David Byrne’s works well enough but my sweetie of a husband is an absolute Byrne nut. To make hubby happy, how many times have I listened to Luaka Bop albums? Enough so that I am able to sing in Portuguese without a clue as to what I’m saying. How many times have I seen “True Stories”? Enough so that I now say “special-NESS” instead of the regular ol’ way. How many times have I seen Mr. Byrne in crazy costumes at his shows? Enough so that I’ve started to think an astroturf suit is kind of cool. How much would I love to give my beloved this book? Enough so that I’m submitting this poorly written comment!
By Jimmy
September 14, 2009 10:13 AM | Link to this
No reason that I can think of, other than I’d enjoy reading it. I bike everyday, wear a helmet, a reflective vest (the guys on a garbage truck honked in solidarity once!) and ride as if my life depended on it. I did once see Byrne with the Talking Heads in Portsmouth, UK in, I think, 1980, and would enjoy hearing the panel at the Paramount.
By Pam LeBlanc
September 14, 2009 12:03 PM | Link to this
Man, this was a tough call, but I have to go with Bob, because sometimes flattery will get you every where and it just made me laugh! Please check back later this week for more freebies, and remember Byrne’s appearance at the Paramount is FREE! Pam