Women and Cycling conference

1. sensitive campaigning
supportive urban design v offering support
Katja Leyendecker
Northumbria University
newcycling.org
Cycling Embassy of GB
NEXT EXIT
Women & Cycling
Hereford
4 May 2016
@WeCycle_UK

2. Credit @amsterdamize
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3. Credit @amsterdamize
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4. The Struggle in low-cycling countries
From the message boards
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5. Urban environment and people
People typically know the benefits of cycling
People cycle when
• their local environments are supportive
• it is designed into the urban fabric
Key ingredient
Protected cycleways on main roads ie on direct routes (Pooley,
Pucher)
But
People’s view can be fast/ snap, static/engrained, habitual
People ‘support’ perceived status quo and social norm
People’s view can be irrational
People may have fear / anxiety of change
People find it hard to imagine (spatial) change
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6. Individual
Environmental
Social
Personal
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Adapted from Barton & Fink (2006)

7. Groups of individuals
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8. Social networks
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9. Collective and campaigning
Based on Jensen (2013) Staging Mobilities
CYCLING
‘culture’
Automobility
Automobility
Automobility
Automobility
Polity & purse strings
Planning
Design
Regulations
Institutions
CAMPAIGNS
Rallying the troops
Social interaction
Individual performances
Solidarity
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10. The cyclist you design
From Leyendecker (2015)
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11. Dealing with marginalisation
Taken from Wesslowski (2015) Facilitating a contested practice
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12. Segmentation of ‘the public’
From Anable (2005) Identifying travel behaviour segments using attitude theory
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13. Positionality – a strategy proposal
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ESRC Newcastle day messages
Clear campaigning message:
To make cycling comfortable for all, we need good quality protected
cycleways – inclusive for people of all ages and abilities
• Direct, on main roads
• Space taken from carriageway
• Footway not compromised
1. We must not preach or evangelise, but listen.
2. For whom are we speaking (out)?
• Individual or collective/campaigner?
3. Collective concert - what instrument are you playing?
• Community organiser or political campaigner?
4. Look around us, finding allies in social/environmental justice

14. Thanks for listening
Contact
Email katja.leyendecker@northumbria.ac.uk
Blog https://katsdekker.wordpress.com/
Twitter @katsdekker
@WeCycle_UK

15. Literature and resources
Anable (2005). ‘Complacent Car Addicts’ or ‘Aspiring Environmentalists’? Identifying travel behaviour segments using
attitude theory. Transport Policy, 12(1), 65-78. doi: 10.1016/j.tranpol.2004.11.004 online
Barton & Grant (2006). A health map for the local human habitat. The Journal for the Royal Society for the Promotion of
Health, 126 (6). pp. 252-253. ISSN 1466-4240 online
ESRC Newcastle day (2015). Academia and advocacy day. online
Garrard (2009). Quote in “How to Get More Bicyclists on the Road”. Scientific American. online
Jensen (2013). Staging mobilities: Routledge. ISBN 9780415693738 (page 6)
Leyendecker (2016). The ecology of cycling. online
Pooley et al (2013). Promoting Walking and Cycling : New Perspectives on Sustainable Travel. Bristol: Policy Press.
Pucher & Buehler (2012). City cycling: MIT Press. ISBN 0262517817
Spotswood et al (2015). Analysing cycling as a social practice: An empirical grounding for behaviour change.
Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 29, 22-33. doi: 10.1016/j.trf.2014.12.001 online
Urry (2004). The ‘System’ of Automobility. Theory, Culture & Society, 21(4-5), 25-39. doi: 10.1177/0263276404046059
online
Wesslowski (2005). Facilitating a contested practice. online
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