Cycling in Montreal: Q&A with pioneering activist Robert "Bicycle Bob" Silverman

Abstract

This article is an interview with Robert Silverman, known as Bicycle Bob. Silverman is credited with being a pioneer who helped to transform Montreal from a city without bike paths or places to park bikes into one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world. Montreal boasts a large network of bike paths and BIXI bikes (bikes for rent) throughout the city. Silverman began organizing a campaign for bikes in the mid-1970s, using such established techniques of social activism such as massive demonstrations, as well as civil disobedience. He served a very brief time in jail for painting a bike path on a street in order to protest the lack of bike paths in the city. Click on the link to read the interview.