Cycling Cultures blog

More articles are on the way based on the Cycling Cultures research. The paper that Kat and I wrote on Group Cycle Rides is now published in the June issue of Sociology. Another co-authored paper, on cycling’s sensory strategies (known between Kat and I as the ‘Zombie paper’ because its original title referred to ‘iPod Zombies’) was referred back for minor revisions and is now being re-considered by Mobilities. And a paper I’ve written entitled Governing Transport from Welfare State to Hollow State: the case of cycling in the UK is in press. You can read an author’s version here.

I’ve also been out and about last week, attending (a) the first day of the Modelling World conference, (b) a workshop to inform the development of the STEP-CHANGE project, and (c) the inaugural meeting of the European Cycle Logistics Forum. All fascinating, but only the last involved the opportunity to ride an electric-assist Bakfiets during the lunch break…

I’ve just finished writing up a short report on our LCC Big Ride Survey. It’s basically a summary of findings with some examples of how people responded to the open questions, such as why they were motivated to attend. Many referred to problematic experiences of cycling as a motivator, and to a feeling of a political window of opportunity for cycling. To give a couple of examples:

‘I am a regular cyclist concerned about the still inadequate facilities in London for myself and fellow cyclists.’

‘I don’t particularly like big, organised marshalled rides but I felt I ought to attend to support the LCC’s campaign for better cycling infrastructure, as I cycle in central London every day.
When i’m feeling optimistic, I get a sense that we’re almost at tipping point and London could become a place where normal people ride bikes all the time and cars are marginalised. It feels like a good time to be part of a campaign to keep pushing for that.’

You can read the short report here, and I’m planning to do more in-depth analysis later in the year – updated to be posted.