Richard Ballantine
Encyclopedia
Richard Ballantine is a cycling
writer, journalist and cycling advocate
. Born in America the son of Ian
and Betty Ballantine
of Ballantine Books
fame, he now principally resides in London
, England
. He is most famous for his 1972 book titled Richard's Bicycle Book and its subsequent editions. He is also an editor at Rufus Publications (founded by his parents) and has founded several magazines including Bicycle Magazine.
and the appearance of lightweight road bicycles. The book was a cornucopia of cycling-related information; it not only contained an overview of the history of the bicycle
, explanations of differing bicycle designs and types and various bicycle accessories, guides to basic bicycle maintenance and fitting among others, but was heavily laced with the author's own views and humour to boot. It became exceedingly popular.
The Bicycle Book also introduced many new cyclists to the world of commuting and bicycle touring
and was also an early example of bicycle advocacy
. In a section on roadway cycling, commuting, and etiquette, Ballantine firmly stated his view that cyclists, as lawful road users, had an absolute right to share existing motorways, and that the safe travel of all users should take precedence in designing new streets and thoroughfares.
Over the years, Richard's Bicycle Book has been through several incarnations such as Richard's New Bicycle Book (1987) and most recently Richard's 21st Century Bicycle Book (2000).
He is currently chairman of the British Human Power Club and of the World Human Powered Vehicle Association.
Cycling
Cycling, also called bicycling or biking, is the use of bicycles for transport, recreation, or for sport. Persons engaged in cycling are cyclists or bicyclists...
writer, journalist and cycling advocate
Cycling advocacy
Cycling advocacy consists of activities that provide greater safety, comfort, and convenience for bicyclists by educating cyclists and motorists, improving road quality on bike routes, establishing more and better bicycle parking, providing legal protections for cyclists by including cycling...
. Born in America the son of Ian
Ian Ballantine
Ian Keith Ballantine was a pioneering American publisher who founded and published the innovative paperback line of Ballantine Books from 1952 to 1974 with his wife, Betty Ballantine....
and Betty Ballantine
Betty Ballantine
Betty Ballantine is a publisher who, with her husband Ian Ballantine, formed Bantam Books in 1945 and Ballantine Books in 1952. They became freelance publishers in the 1970s. Their son Richard is an author and journalist specialising in cycling topics.Ballantine received a Special Committee Award...
of Ballantine Books
Ballantine Books
Ballantine Books is a major book publisher located in the United States, founded in 1952 by Ian Ballantine with his wife, Betty Ballantine. It was acquired by Random House in 1973, which in turn was acquired by Bertelsmann AG in 1998 and remains part of that company today. Ballantine's logo is a...
fame, he now principally resides in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. He is most famous for his 1972 book titled Richard's Bicycle Book and its subsequent editions. He is also an editor at Rufus Publications (founded by his parents) and has founded several magazines including Bicycle Magazine.
Richard's Bicycle Book
Ballantine's Richard's Bicycle Book, first published in 1972, fortuitously appeared at a time when cycling was experiencing a resurgence in popularity due in part to the oil shortages of the world oil crisis1973 oil crisis
The 1973 oil crisis started in October 1973, when the members of Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries or the OAPEC proclaimed an oil embargo. This was "in response to the U.S. decision to re-supply the Israeli military" during the Yom Kippur war. It lasted until March 1974. With the...
and the appearance of lightweight road bicycles. The book was a cornucopia of cycling-related information; it not only contained an overview of the history of the bicycle
History of the bicycle
Vehicles for human transport that have two wheels and require balancing by the rider date back to the early 19th century. The first means of transport making use of two wheels, and thus the archetype of the bicycle, was the German draisine dating back to 1817...
, explanations of differing bicycle designs and types and various bicycle accessories, guides to basic bicycle maintenance and fitting among others, but was heavily laced with the author's own views and humour to boot. It became exceedingly popular.
The Bicycle Book also introduced many new cyclists to the world of commuting and bicycle touring
Bicycle touring
Bicycle touring is cycling over long distances – prioritizing pleasure and endurance over utility or speed. Touring can range from single day 'supported' rides — e.g., rides to benefit charities — where provisions are available to riders at stops along the route, to multi-day...
and was also an early example of bicycle advocacy
Cycling advocacy
Cycling advocacy consists of activities that provide greater safety, comfort, and convenience for bicyclists by educating cyclists and motorists, improving road quality on bike routes, establishing more and better bicycle parking, providing legal protections for cyclists by including cycling...
. In a section on roadway cycling, commuting, and etiquette, Ballantine firmly stated his view that cyclists, as lawful road users, had an absolute right to share existing motorways, and that the safe travel of all users should take precedence in designing new streets and thoroughfares.
Over the years, Richard's Bicycle Book has been through several incarnations such as Richard's New Bicycle Book (1987) and most recently Richard's 21st Century Bicycle Book (2000).
Ballantine and the HPV movement
Ballantine has been prominent in the human powered vehicle movement since its inception in the 1980s and active in the HPV racing movement.He is currently chairman of the British Human Power Club and of the World Human Powered Vehicle Association.