ARTICLE FROM THE BOOK:
Cyclists & Cycling Around the World – Creating Liveable
andBikeable
CitiesCyclists& Cycling
Aroundthe World
Edited by Juan Carlos Dextre, Mike Hughes & Lotte Bech
Published by Fondo Editorial, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, 2013
ISBN: 978-612-4146-55-8

1. Cycle CultureT

his chapter covers various stages in the development of an urban cycling culturearound the world. You can read four examples of good practice, written to inspire
cities which are keen to start, revive or develop further a cycle culture or cities
which have the potential to use the bike as a way out of poverty and as a means towards
gender equality.
In his article How to get started, Carlos Felipe Pardo offers ten rules that have increased
cycling in Bogotá and other cities. It is an inspiring formula as to how you can contributeto the development of a growing urban cycle culture by acting as a pioneer and rolemodel and by participating in groups that promote cycling. The rules are very concreteand down to earth, starting with how important it is that those engaged in promoting
cycling as a mean of transport buy a proper bicycle designed for city use. The authoradopts a hands-on approach, emphasising the need to know the infrastructure as well
as stressing the need to create alliances with the media and policymakers and to work
cooperatively between groups that promote cycling; and by the way, “Do not forget
having fun while promoting cycling.” These rules have been effective in creating a strong
agenda for cycling in Bogotá.
In other cities, for example in China, the challenge lies in saving a cycle culture which
is about to disappear. In his article Revitalisation of a cycle culture, Bram van Ooijen
describes how this decline was arrested in the city of Guangzhou. During the preparationof the Asian Games in 2010, Guangzhou invested heavily in improving its infrastructure.
Two projects especially greatly improved cycling conditions. The local authority created alarge network of greenways within the city and as links to other cities, as well as creatinga public bike system integrated with the public transport and safe parking. This has
affected the local economy very positively in many instances, as the quotation from alocal farmer explains how his own life style and those of his friends have changed as aresult of the rebirth of cycling in the area. The pilot project in Guangzhou has provided
valuable experience which can be used in other cities in China, as well as keeping alive
the hope of maintaining a Chinese cycle culture.
Cities which already have a well developed cycle culture can draw inspiration from thearticle Further development of cycle culture, in which Ria Hilhorst tells the story of how21

Amsterdam became a real cycling capital and how the city continues to pave the way
for cyclists. Amsterdam has a long history of cycling and has totally integrated cycling
into its everyday life. There are a number of reasons for this, ranging from the scale andthe topography of the city – the flat landscape and the narrow streets - to the resistanceof the local population to making the city more car-friendly. Since the 70s, Amsterdam
has had a strong political commitment and massive popular support for the promotionof their cycle culture. The author recounts how the city has reached the point at which
the bicycle is regarded as an important part of the integrated transport system. She also
writes about the need to continue encouraging the use of the bicycle and for ongoinginvestment in a mature cycle structure as well as the need to train children to use theirbikes as much as, if not more than, the present generation.
A completely different type of challenge to the development of a cycle culture is tobe found in cities in India for example, where the poorer sections of the population,
especially women, have very restricted access to mobility. In her article, the Socioeconomic impact of the cycle Anvita Arora offers a gendered social perspective ofcycling in India. She explores the significance of the bicycle not only as a means oftransport but also as a means of livelihood for a large segment of the population whoare being enabled to climb slowly out of poverty through acquiring bicycles. There
are many reasons why only few women cycle in the larger Indian cities. Amongother reasons, there is a very hostile street environment with insufficient space andinsecurity for the women and a culture of abuse towards women cycling. A survey
shows the significance cycles can have in the economy of poor women and in genderequality. The bicycle has empowered them with increased mobility and income as well
as offering better status in the families and in the community.

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