A growing recognition has addressed the
benefits of cycling to both individuals and
the city, accordingly arising interest globally
in how to promote cycling in practice, by
emulating premier experiences such as the
Netherlands. Yet, this remains difficult in
practice, because both the provision of
cycling and cycling behaviour is grounded in
place-specific context. This gap limits the
understanding of subjectiveness when
transferring cycling knowledge and policies,
indicating that in-depth studies are
immensely needed where discursive
practice of practitioner’s viewpoint and
cyclists’ experience are important elements
to explore.Hence, using a leading exemplar
in the Netherlands, the town of Houten,
this study aims to examine why Houten
manage to promote cycling. 18 in-depth
interviews with practitioners and local
cyclists are conducted as the main method
to collect qualitative data. The language
used by diverse actors is analysed drawn on
the critical discourse analysis approach.It is
proposed that first, the high-quality
provision of cycling infrastructure along
with related measures in Houten include 8
themes: segregated cycle network,
intersection modifications, traffic calming,
bike parking, integration with public
transport, integration with the built environment, education and programmes,
social and cultural norms. These perform as
both ‘push’ and ‘pull’ measures to facilitate
people cycling and discourage driving.
Second, the implementation is contributed
to a participatory process where the
municipals, planning team, cyclist groups
and residents together play active roles
against the dominant car-centred
narratives. Third, the high-quality provision
and positive interference of governance
benefit cyclists with pleasant experiences
by meeting the travel need for a fast,
coherent, safe and interesting journey, and
the social need for mobility independence
and social identity. The three aspects
together gradually form a cultural identity
of Houten as a bicycle city, and residents as
well-behaved cyclists, hence consolidating
and normalising cycling in terms of
changing narratives.
Lists
Lists
Loading previews...
