Title: Cycling for all? A sociological inquiry into (in)equitable cycling spaces in Vancouver, BC
Thesis Supervisors: Dr. Brian Wilson
Committee Members: Dr. Andrea Bundon, Dr. Liv Yoon
Chair: Dr. Desmond McEwan
Abstract: While cycle travel is increasing in many urban centers as a result of expanding cycling policies and planning, cycling activists and scholars of colour identify inequities in cycle planning resulting from colonial and heteropatriarchal histories of urban planning in North America. In response, Vancouver and other cities have begun to promote ‘equitable’ cycling initiatives, including ‘All Ages and Abilities’ cycling networks, which are designed to suit a diverse range of cyclists. Despite such initiatives, cycling remains inequitable and inaccessible for many. This proposal outlines three case studies based on three overarching research questions that will together consider the extent to which cycling is equitable for people who cycle who may fall outside of normative constructions of cycling. I use a mobility justice framework to consider embodied, material, and representational spaces of cycling. I seek to answer the following research questions: How do marginalized people who cycle experience cycling in Vancouver? To what extent do cycle parking facilities address the needs of people who live in older residential buildings? To what extent and how are non-normative cyclists represented in policy? For the first case study, I propose to conduct ride-along, mobile interviews with ‘non-normative’ cyclists, including people with disabilities who cycle. For the second case study, I will conduct interviews and focus groups with people who ride cycles and live and work in older and low-income buildings. Finally, the third case study will involve a discourse analysis of Vancouver’s cycling policy documents. Together, this study will contribute theoretically to mobility justice scholarship, add to the body of work on ride-along mobile methods, and generate practical and policy recommendations for more inclusive and equitable cycling practices.