The Fall and Rise of the Bicycle is a BBC Radio 4 series from July 2006, still available via that miracle of science that is t’Internet. Just click on the “Listen again…” link near the foot of the linked page for the streaming audio. (Requires Realplayer or Mplayer or similar). The programmes make for very worthwhile listening…and the reporter, Mark Stephen, is yet another cycling Scotsman so what’s not to like?!

Episode 1: Africa, the Power of Two Wheels

Episode 2: Europe: The Once and Future King of the Road

Episode 3: China: Rejecting the Bicycle

R:B