Old Man on a Green Bike: Chronicles of a Self-Serving Environmentalist

Mark Cramer, the old man on a green bike, demonstrates by example that one is never too old to ride a bicycle. In his book, Old Man on a Green Bike, he describes his bike commuting adventures in Paris traffic, touring through the French countryside, and scaling the mountain roads of La Paz, Bolivia.He advocates for bike commuting, both as a way to save some dollars (or in France, euros) and to save the Earth. It is a win-win if the commuter is willing to put up with a little convenience at times (one does not always need dry shoes at work). As a former bike commuter of many years myself, I fully agree with his analysis of the personal costs and benefits of clean air.What has to be the most entertaining portion of the book is Cramer’s bike adventures in La Paz, Bolivia, where he lived for a number of years. La Paz at an elevation of 11,900 feet above sea level has only 60% of the oxygen found at sea level. Combine that fact with the city being surrounded by mountains (all of the roads go either up or down). If you can bike there you can bike anywhere. Cramer did and it is well worth reading all of the amazing details (including the Road of Death) in his book.

I have read more than a few of Mark Cramer's books and it is clear that he is a thinker. This book proves that he is a doer as well. This book will entertain while making you think. And most likely it will motivate you, even if you do just the 3 things listed on page 40, you will be better off because of it.

The author takes the reader to three continents as he unravels the joy and benefits of cycling. The hook in the subtitle of being a "self serving environmentalist" is a clever device as it reframes the common us (cyclist) vs them (drivers) battle that has intensified, especially in urban areas. Proving that its never too late to take up cycling, whether as a commuter or cross-country tourist, he inspires us to give it a try and go a little farther each day.

Take a ride off the beaten paths. As usual, Mark Cramer doesn't just recycle old ideas. This small book takes the reader across 3 continents, from sea level streets to mountaintop roads. You'll encounter as many fascinating paradigm shifts as gear changes on this remarkable journey. A fun and enlightening read!

This book has a lot of ideas for inspiring my son to be a young man on a red bike, and getting me to ride with him instead of taking him by car. In fact, I aim to be a middle aged man on my own bike.

What could be more harmless than an old man on a bike? Well, this one's an original thinker armed with a strong sense of adventure and a joy in exposing conventional wisdom as merely conventional.Yes he's aware and he cares, but this isn't a tract about the melting planet - it is a tale about ways of life - many little tales, actually, of a guy dedicated to finding aesthetic pleasure, meaning and fun even in everyday activities, he leaves more tire tracks than carbon footprints because it is more affordable, healthier for him, and mostly, more fun. His writing is fun too - this is a joyful and easy read - cut into small stories and essays so you can read it at whatever pace you like (I read it more quickly than he bikes).He's not a "serious" biker in the common sense of the word - he takes breaks to sip good wine and cold beer - and those things also could pair nicely with the book - it truly is that kind of read.The thing that makes it subversive is that the fresh and challenging ideas, are really a product of Cramer's uncommon common sense. If you're like me, you'll read each story or short essay, smile and say, "of course." And he seems to be having such a good time, you also can't help but saying as you read, "hmm, why can't I do my own version of that too?"I'm not a 'certified buyer' because I bought this directly from the publisher (but you'll get it quicker from Amazon!). I hope Cramer's right about biking extending his lifespan, because I want to enjoy more books from him.

Over 2500 years ago, Hippocrates noted the health benefits of regular exercise. Since that time, an enormous body of scientific evidence has confirmed that people who ride a bicycle, walk or engage in other similar activities for at least 150 minutes a week, have markedly lower risks for many types of illnesses and the ultimate health problem…death. In Old Man on a Green Bike: Chronicles of a Self-serving Environmentalist, Mark Cramer, a Renaissance man (in many senses of the term) and travel writer, guides the reader through an entertaining and informative look at the personal and societal benefits (and risks) of cycling for transportation and recreation. He weaves in many fascinating stories and thought-provoking anecdotes about his cycling experiences, ranging from commuting to work in Paris to riding through the hills and canyons around La Paz, Bolivia. As a long-time cyclist, albeit one who has not worked up the courage to commute to the office on two wheels, I am thrilled to have the chance to recommend Mark’s great book.For full disclosure, I received a review copy of this book from the author.

Mark Cramer is woke on spokes. An inspiring, fun read full of quotes and cultural references which pull you in as he recounts how he to took up cycling again at a mature age, challenges himself (as well as the reader) biking at different ends of the earth - all while increasing his life expectancy and the world’s air quality. Full of cultural references, quotes and good cycling advice.