How Public Transit and the Automobile Reshaped Madison – Topic of the District 11 Book Club Discussion on October 9th at 7:00 PM at the Sequoya Library

Image credit: Bloomsbury Publishing

This fall marks the one-year anniversary of the District 11 Book Club. I want to take this opportunity to thank all the participants and authors who joined me throughout the year as we explored a variety of topics affecting our district, from free parking and restrictive zoning to the housing shortage and environmental issues. We even read a book about how minds change, which raised the intriguing question of whether politicians can change their minds. For me, the hundreds of residents who participated in the book club, asked insightful questions, and shared their perspectives on the issues discussed in the books we read have significantly influenced how I vote and think about city policy. This past year has reinforced my belief that books have been, and will continue to be, a powerful tool for political persuasion and public engagement. 

As we look ahead to what’s next on our literary journey, we'll begin by reading a book about transportation, exploring the history of public transit, and examining how the automobile has reshaped American cities in recent decades. On October 9th, we will discuss Tom Standage’s 2021 book, A Brief History of Motion: From the Wheel to the Car to What Comes Next, published by Bloomsbury Publishing.

In his New York Times review of Standage's book, Simon Winchester writes, “Shopping malls, gas stations, drive-ins — and redlining, Robert Moses, urban blight, white flight — all were born of this utopia turned dystopia, and Standage writes with a masterly clarity before turning his attention, as need dictates, to the topic of Our Automotive Future.”

Image credit: City of Madison

While transportation fueled Madison’s growth, it also brought significant challenges to the city. Joining us for the book club discussion will be Tom Lynch, the City of Madison's Transportation Director, who will share insights into the city's transportation history and its current challenges. Director Lynch will give a brief presentation on Madison’s transportation milestones, starting with the arrival of the first train in 1854, the electric streetcar in 1892, and the automobile in 1901. The rise of the automobile, combined with the National Housing Act of 1934 and the Federal Highway Act of 1956, contributed to suburbanization, urban sprawl, and parking issues. Today, Madison is working to address these challenges through citywide initiatives like Vision Zero, Complete Green Streets, and the new Bus Rapid Transit system.

Pick up or borrow a copy of A Brief History of Motion and join me, Tom Lynch, and others for a lively discussion at the Sequoya Library on Wednesday, October 9th, at 7:00 PM. A limited number of free copies will be available at the "Ask Desk" on a first-come, first-served basis. This casual, public event is open to everyone, and even if you haven't finished the book, you're encouraged to attend and join in the conversation!

Source: Simon Winchester, “Books That Cover Two Human Constants: Time and Motion,” New York Times, August 17, 2021. 
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/17/books/review/a-brief-history-of-motion-tom-standage-about-time-david-rooney.html?smid=url-share