{"product_id":"bob-silverman-the-impossible-hero-hardcover","title":"Bob Silverman: The Impossible Hero - Hardcover","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/reportcopyrightinfringement.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eReport copyright infringement\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eJohn Symon\u003c\/b\u003e (Author), \u003cb\u003eStéphane Desjardins\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFew unknown figures have left such a lasting mark on the world as Robert \"Bicycle Bob\" Silverman\u003cb\u003e.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eA true nonconformist, this tireless advocate for urban cycling lived an extraordinary life. Poet, bookseller, restaurateur, traveler, educator, gallery owner--but above all, a passionate cycling activist--Bob led his \u003ci\u003evélorution\u003c\/i\u003e (a term he was the first to popularize in Canada) with authenticity, ingenuity, and boundless creativity. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWith his small but dedicated group, \u003ci\u003eLe Monde à Bicyclette (MàB)\u003c\/i\u003e, and a handful of allies, Bob Silverman achieved the impossible. Over three decades, Montreal transformed from one of the least bike-friendly cities in North America into its cycling capital--thanks in part to MàB's colorful \u003ci\u003ecyclodramas\u003c\/i\u003e, street theatre protests where members donned costumes to make their point. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eSilverman's story reads like a film script. A poet and independent bookseller in the 1960s, he drew in a vibrant circle of artists, intellectuals, and musicians, including Leonard Cohen and Armand Vaillancourt. In 1962, he traveled to Cuba to join Fidel Castro's revolution, meeting none other than Ernesto \"Che\" Guevara. Later, he worked on an Israeli kibbutz, becoming one of the rare Jewish activists to shake hands with Yasser Arafat. He studied in France and Spain, pioneered outdoor volleyball, and never shied away from challenging the status quo. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eA larger-than-life figure, Robert Silverman was, as many describe him, \"a prophet before his time.\" Discover how this real-life \u003ci\u003eMan of La Mancha\u003c\/i\u003e managed to reach a few unreachable stars...\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJournalist and author \u003cb\u003eStéphane Desjardins\u003c\/b\u003e has managed several newspapers and newsrooms (\u003ci\u003eJournal de l'assurance\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eFinance et Investissement\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eQuébec Inc.\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eCanal Argent\/TVA Nouvelles\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eCoopoint\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eGéo Plein Air\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eLe Vélo Urbain\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eJournal Accès\u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003eLaurentides\u003c\/i\u003e). In 2013, he founded the hyperlocal news network pamplemousse.ca, which he ran until 2018. He currently works as a personal finance and consumer affairs columnist for the \u003ci\u003eJournal de Montréal\u003c\/i\u003e and the \u003ci\u003eJournal de Québec.\u003c\/i\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eJohn Symon\u003c\/b\u003e is the author of several guidebooks covering Montreal and Ottawa. He was a long-time reporter for the Montreal Times, as well as Montreal correspondent for Pedal magazine for many years. An avid cyclist, John met Bicycle Bob Silverman through volleyball, which led to a 30-year friendship. A two-time Green Party candidate and long-time environmental activist, John is well aware of the many challenges Bob has faced as an activist. Bob wanted John to write an unfiltered bio, but only read short excerpts before flying him off to Bicycle Heaven.\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 258\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e October 21, 2025\u003c\/div\u003e\n            ","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45441294794854,"sku":"9780776641782","price":79.96,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0599\/7255\/0758\/files\/6TLIjpE37f9780776641782.webp?v=1776030633","url":"https:\/\/infinitylightwa.com\/products\/bob-silverman-the-impossible-hero-hardcover","provider":"Infinity Light","version":"1.0","type":"link"}