[2] Born in America, the son of Ian and Betty Ballantine of Ballantine Books, and educated at the Browning School in New York and Columbia University, he principally resided in London, England.
He wrote the popular Richard's Bicycle Book (1972) and its subsequent editions.
[3][4] Ballantine's Richard's Bicycle Book, published in 1972, appeared at a time when cycling was experiencing a resurgence in popularity, in part to the oil shortages of the world oil crisis and the appearance of lightweight road bicycles.
In a section on road cycling, commuting, and etiquette, Ballantine firmly stated his view that cyclists, as lawful road users, had an absolute right to share existing roads, and that the safe travel of all users should take precedence in designing new streets and thoroughfares.
The book was dedicated to convicted bomber "Samuel Joseph Melville, hero".