Cycling: A Sociology of Vélomobility

Description

Cycling: A Sociology of Vélomobility explores cycling as a sociological phenomenon. Drawing on extensive ethnographic fieldwork, it considers the interaction of materials, competencies and meanings that comprise a variety of cycling practices. What might appear at first to be self-evident actions are shown to be constructed through the interplay of numerous social and political forces. Using a theoretical framework from mobilities studies, its central themes respond to the question of what it is about cycling that provokes so much interest and passion, both positive and negative. Individual chapters consider how cycling has appeared as theme and illustration in social theory, as well as the legacies of these theorizations. The book expands on the image of cycling practices as the product of an assemblage of technology, rider and environment. Riding spaces as material technologies are found to be as important as the machinery of the cycle, and a distinction is made between routes and rides to help interpret aspects of journey-making. Ideas of both affordance and script are used to explore how elements interact in performance to create sensory and experiential scapes. Consideration is also given to the changing identities of cycling practices in historical and geographical perspective. The book adds to existing research by extending the theorization of cycling mobilities. It engages with both current and past debates on the place of cycling in mobility systems and the problems of researching, analyzing and communicating ephemeral mobile experiences. Cover Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Contents List of boxes List of figures Introduction Background Themes Structure 1 Towards a sociology of cycles and cycling Introduction Cycles, cyclists and cycling Polanyi’s cyclist: a case study in tacit knowledge Illich: the bicycle as a challenge to modernity Augé and Fournel: cycling as transcendence Bijker: social constructions, technologies and mobilities Deleuze: mobilities and assemblages Vélomobility Conclusions: vélomobility and automobility 2 Researching cycling Introduction Cycling as mobilities research What (or who) is cycling research for? The politics of cycling research Mobile methods: researching cycling Problematizing mobile methods: a case study Ethics and covert recording: reversing the gaze Reflexivity and location Sensory journeys Communicating cycling research findings – “senses matter” Conclusions 3 Materials: cycle technologies Introduction Cycle design: affordance and script Learning to ride: the impact of cycle technologies Technological affordances Cycle design as a sociotechnical system Users and technological reappropriation Sport and cycle technologies Conclusions 4 Environments: material spaces of cycling Introduction Routes and rides Roads as routes Routes and route books Maps for cycle tourists Cycling guidebooks Cycle sport and its material environments Conclusions: cycling spaces 5 Exploring (im)material space Introduction Sensuous journeying Sensescapes Analyzing the sensory experience Spaces of regimentation and freedom Dissonant discourses and symbolic orders Rural-urban contrast? Cycling virtual worlds Conclusions: imaginary future spaces of vélomobility 6 Competencies: riding alone Who is the self that rides? Riding, emancipation and counter-hegemonic mobility Learning from cycle trainers Learning to ride and building capacity The city as a competence Commuting as environmental engagement Rituals and rides Rational technical and ritual behaviour in the journey to work Conclusions: the mundane and the exceptional 7 Riding together Introduction “The fellowship of the wheel” Fellowship in decline or in new forms? The politics of collectivity Spaces as shared stories Monuments and shrines Special rides as pilgrimages Conclusions 8 Meanings, representations and identities Introduction Representing class, race, and gender Fin de Siècle cycle posters Advertising to cyclists in the 1930s Cycles as an advertising meme today Cycling image and imaginary Conclusions 9 Riding the city: public meanings and cycling advocacy Imagery Public spaces and cycling cities Advocacy arguments Varieties of advocacy: social movement approaches Models of change Theory and activism Conclusions: vélomobile futures Index