We are running another yet fantastic book giveaway for our subscribers.
The prizes are copies of Keith Mexsom’s latest book Gas Pedal to Back-Pedal – The Second Century of Auckland Transport which is Part Two of a planned trilogy that builds on the founding and development of Auckland’s transport systems from 1940 to the present – describing how the motor vehicle evolved from a novelty and a nuisance of the 1920s to an indispensable utility that virtually replaced the city’s public transport services with chronic road congestion.
Photo credit The BFD.
On the 20th of April, we will give away three copies to three lucky BFD subscribers. We will use an online random number generator to select the winners from our subscriber base and then we will contact the winner via e-mail.
There will be one book for Basic and Bronze members, one for Silver members and one for Gold and Platinum members.
If you are already a member then relax, you are already in the draw.
Thanks for all your support, we couldn’t do what we do without our members.
If you aren’t a member already then sign up for one of our membership plans to be in the draw for a copy of the book.
Gas Pedal to Back-Pedal: The Second Century of Auckland Transport by Keith Mexsom
Discover the history of Auckland’s transport from award-winning journalist and Bruce Jesson Critical Writing Award grant winner, Keith Mexsom.
How did Auckland get to be so congested? And who were the people who have influenced decisions, legislation, and funding?
Gas Pedal to Back-Pedal: The Second Century of Auckland Transport is a comprehensive account of the history of Auckland transport and the inner workings of central and local governments who have influenced Auckland’s present environment.
It builds on the founding and development of Auckland’s transport system from 1940 to the present, describing how the motor vehicle evolved from a novelty and a nuisance of the 1920s to an indispensable utility that virtually replaced the city’s public transport services with chronic road congestion.
This is a story of countless, costly transport studies, reports, and accounts of why most of the advice generated was not acted upon. It is a tale of how the parochialism and fragmented vision of city leaders played into the hands of begrudging, purse-string-holding Governments of the day.
“When I worked in Auckland for nearly 40 years I spent many hours driving bumper to bumper on city roads and motorways,” shares Keith. “One day, I read an article about the traffic congestion experienced by Los Angeles which the author of the article blamed on the undue influence of what he called the ‘Road Gang’ and I wondered if I could identify members of the ‘Road Gang’ that could have influenced and profited from Auckland’s road-building programme.” “It was only meant to be a short work to begin with, but I soon found that the story started with Auckland’s first settlers, and to do a proper job I would have to start there, which I did, 12 years ago.”
Auckland’s transport woes are a long story beginning with the first volume, Waka Paddle to Gas Pedal: The First Century of Auckland Transport. Extensively researched, accurately referenced, and indexed with historical narratives describing the real people and factual events that have resulted in the Auckland of today.
The content of these books is supported by 12 years of study and research by Keith, who has spent forty years as an investigator, writer, editor, and researcher. The book includes information Keith believes to be little known, including certain aspects of the Master Transportation Plan for Metropolitan Auckland 1955 and various references to the persuasive advice of the City Engineer at the time, Arthur Dickson, and his Road Gang.
From trams, suburban rail, buses, ferries, and of course motor vehicles it has been a long, overcrowded road since the concept and ambition of an Auckland underground railway was first proposed by Royal Engineers in 1860. With the belated start of the City Rail Link, a happy ending is anticipated.
