Scholar and author James Longhurst returns to Lawrence University for a talk about his favorite topic: bicycles.
Longhurst’s address. “Victory Bike Battles in World War II: New History, Lessons for Today,” Thursday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. in Thomas Steitz Hall of Science Room 102, is free and open to the public.
The author of “Bike Battles: A History of Sharing the American Road,” Longhurst will discuss recent research on the history of the Victory Bike program in World War II and its implications for current transportation battles. He refers to the resistance of reintroducing bicycles to American cities as “bikelash.”
He is also the author of the 2010 book “Citizen Environmentalist.”
Longhurst, who previously spoke at Lawrence in January, 2016, is an associate professor of history at UW-La Crosse, specializing in urban and environmental policy. His inspiration to study bicycle history began in 2008 when he started commuting by bicycle to work every day.
His appearance is sponsored by the Barbara Gray Spoerl Lectures in Science and Society. Established in 1999 by Milwaukee-Downer College graduate Barbara Gray Spoerl and her husband, Edward, the lectureship promotes interest and discussion on the role of science and technology in societies worldwide.
About Lawrence University
Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College.” Engaged learning, the development of multiple interests and community outreach are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.
