Joyride Reviews
The Boston Globe recently praised Joyride, saying, "Mia Birk's story of how she helped transform Portland into a world class cycling city is inspiring and entertaining. "Joyride" is an engaging tale of hope, change, and the fact that it's okay to be a little bit ahead of your time: eventually the world catches up. Mia proves that commitment, persistence, and the ability to herd cats can eventually trump the car-centric status quo. "Joyride" is about making our world a better place, one bike lane at a time.
Jonathan Simmons, Boston Globe
"Our discussion with you has given our group the get up and go we've needed for quite some time."
Lori Moholt-Phillips
Moses Lake Parks and Recreation
"Mia knocked it out of the park. She brought the right tone, mix, and personality to the various events throughout the day and folks were universally impressed with her style and content."
Bob Ferris, Executive Director
RE Sources for Sustainable Communities
Bellingham, WA
www.re-sources.org
I have to say, I really loved Joyride. It adds an iterative history and grittiness to what you went through in Portland, which makes bike-friendly infrastructure an easier sell here in TX. When I explain that Portland "wasn't always this way", I can now cite some of your challenges and solutions. Your book gives great perspective on just quite how hard you fought for Portland's infrastructure. It's just starting here, and I hope it will pay off big time in 10-20 years.
Howard Draper, Denton TX
"Anyone interested in the future of our communities is going to appreciate Mia Birk's personal account of how we transformed Portland, OR, into the standard for bicycle-friendly cities – and subsequent odyssey in spreading the benefits of bicycling to communities throughout North America."
The Honorable Earl Blumenauer, Member of Congress, a.k.a. the Johnny Appleseed of Livability
"Mia Birk's presentation at Cornell University set a new high bar for effectively combining inspiring storytelling, compelling research and useful, practical knowledge."
Tom Knipe, Director of Moving Forward: 2010 Cornell/Ithaca Active Transportation Symposium.
"Mia Birk a tireless go-getter who's driven by her passion for sustainability. There are some people who love bikes. Mia loves what bicycling does for a city. She loves the impact that accommodating bicycles has on a neighborhood, a city and the way people live in it."
Catherine Ciarlo, Transportation Director, Office of Mayor Sam Adams, Portland, OR and former director, Bicycle Transportation Alliance
"The creation of a bicycle-friendly Portland helped spur a $100 million local bicycle industry, bringing 1500 green, sustainable jobs. Take note: bicycling isn't just good for your health and community, it's good for the economy. Mia Birk's delightful Joyride is one you all want to go on."
Jay Graves, President, National Bike Dealers Association
Reviews on Amazon
Reviews on Good Reads
Pulitzer Prize winning Willamette Week
Lets' Go Ride a Bike Blog
Portland State University Vanguard