Social Sciences and Cycling Cultures: What can Social Science research contribute to doubling cycling numbers? Dr Peter Cox Network Meeting, TUWien 10/6/2014

Social Science A broad range of academic disciplines in the humanities and social sciences Sociology Politics Geography History Psychology Philosophy & many more…

Bicycle as a material object Artefact – Designed – Produced – Marketed – Used in many different ways and roles (sport transport, tourism, leisure) Can be studied through different lenses – (e.g. history, economics, politics, law)

Sociology of technology Relationship between technology and its users Transformation of studies of the bicycle into studies of cycling and the cyclist Analysing the forces involved in changes – of type of activity – of volume of activity – of meaning of activity – of technologies themselves

Sociology of mobilities Critical movement in social science towards understandings of culture and social practices – Not just the study of institutions Focus on mobility – a world characterised by in movement Studies on cycling practices an obvious specialism Foundation of Cycling and Society Research Group (2004)

Cycling and society Growth of studies of practices and cultures Commitment to a “public sociology” – Involved in action for change – A new “emancipatory” field of study (Gijs Mom 2011) – Rapid proliferation of studies – Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Lessons learned Diversity – Different people – Different practices – Different needs at different times Site specificity – good solutions and best practice principles but no universal solutions

But… Studies of cycling only part of the story Increasing cycling = changing collective behaviour (not individual) Understand collective behaviour change Vital and growing role of social sciences in all areas of social policy: transport planning is a relatively late arrival

How to assist in doubling numbers? Doubling numbers is a change which requires policy intervention “Complexity of human society insists that the product of an intervention does not necessarily coincide with its intention”!

How to assist in doubling numbers? Examine the role of social sciences in other policy interventions and social change – models of change (actors, agency, ownership) – models of intervention – evaluation (VITAL!)

Practical issues Dealing with diversity Understanding the impact of existing interventions on users Role and experience of non-users Doubling numbers means doubling (at least) desirability – experience of use of intervention, facilities needs to be not just acceptable but very enjoyable

Evaluation issues Quantitative measures insufficient alone What is the user experience? – Does it make action easier? – More pleasant? – Provide greater feelings of security? For whom? – Are new conflicts created? – How does it feel to use new facilities? – Short-term and long-term evaluation