31/10/2026
Jane Jacobs, in her 1960s essay "Cyclist," foresaw the rise of car culture and its harmful effects on urban environments. Jacobs, a critic of car dependency, warned of the sociopathic tendencies it fosters. Despite this, she remained a dedicated cyclist and advocate for sustainable city planning. Her seminal book, The Death and Life of Great American Cities, emphasized the need for diverse, dense, and mixed-use urban spaces. Jacobs’s economic theories recognized the bicycle’s role in innovation. Her legacy in urban activism and cycling advocacy continues to influence city planning and sustainable transportation.