Archive for July, 2012

Articles Update

Monday, July 16th, 2012

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 .

Rachel on cargo bike

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…

Posted in Events , Writing | 2 Comments »

Short report on Big Ride survey

Monday, July 9th, 2012

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.

Posted in Events , Research | No Comments »