We contributed to the symposium by analysing policy, more here http://newcycling.org/cycling-society-2016-our-presentation/

1. Probing elusive power structures
within a city’s cycling politics
Sally Watson
Cycling & Society Symposium 2016
Lancaster
Katja Leyendecker

2. Framework for analysis
Jensen (2013)
Policy document analysis
Space observations and
interrogation of secondary data sets
User perspective and need
In conclusion > ideas for the
decision-making and campaigning
processes involved in making
Newcastle’s civic society fit for
cycling.

3. User perspective and need
No city in Europe or North
America has achieved high level
of cycling without an extensive
network of well-integrated bike
lanes and paths that provide
separation from motor vehicle
traffic. […] Separate cycling
facilities are a crucial first step
towards increasing cycling and
making it socially inclusive.
Pucher & Buehler (2012:351)
It is clear from our research that
most non-cyclists and
recreational cyclists will only
consider cycling regularly if they
are segregated from [motor
vehicle] traffic
Pooley et al (2013:176)
Monsereetal(2014)Aldred(2014)

4. NewcastleGateshead
__________________________
Population 490,000
Density person/km 2,000
Source: Wikipedia
Map source: openstreetmap.org
Space observations and interrogation
of secondary data sets
Walking
Cycling
Public Transport
Private car

5. ¬
Planning for the Future
Newcastle and Gateshead Local Plan (2015)
• ‘basis on which we can plan the
development’ p.9
Our investigative themes
Policy document analysis
How is space for cycling dealt with?
PULL
PUSH
How is car parking dealt with?
National context – NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework)
‘The transport system needs to be balanced in favour of sustainable transport modes’ p. 9

6. PULL MEASURES - SPACE FOR
CYCLING
Urban Core
‘movement into, through and
around the Urban Core will be
improved by promoting travel by
sustainable modes and minimising
through traffic’ p. 48
Outer areas
‘aim of the Plan is to create
sustainable communities, centres
and new developments where
priority is given to sustainable
modes of transport’ p. 88
Policy document analysis

7. PULL MEASURES - SPACE FOR CYCLING
Policy document analysis
‘the policy promotes cycling in accordance with both Councils’ Cycling Strategies’
p. 138
‘The Newcastle Cycling
Strategy includes a
Strategic Cycle Network.
This includes Strategic
Cycle Routes to connect the
surrounding areas to the
Urban Core. They will be
direct links to the Urban
Core providing greater
cycling priority.’ p. 138

8. PUSH MEASURES – CAR PARKING
Policy document analysis
‘New parking provision will
be located on the edge [of
the Urban Core] so that
walking and cycling become a
more attractive alternative to
travel by car’ p. 32
’A balance will be maintained
between an appropriate
supply of car parking while
encouraging travel by
sustainable modes.’ p. 146

9. PUSH MEASURES – CAR PARKING
Policy document analysis
Policy CS13 (Transport) The
enhancement and delivery
of an integrated transport
network to support
sustainable development
and economic growth will be
achieved by: 1. Promoting
sustainable travel choices
including vii. The
management of car parking
locations, supply and pricing
‘The “Alive After 5” [free car parking
after 17:00] initiative has been a
great success in promoting use of
car parks outside of peak times and
further opportunities will be
explored’ p.146
?

10. Policy document analysis
‘while still acknowledging the
need to cater for the private car’
p. 85

11. In conclusion
Power and politics
Dominant: socio-technical system of
automobility (Urry, 2005)
Over decades, we have been concentrating on
the individual too much and ‘forgot’ systemic
issues (Spotswood et al, 2015)
Dynamics of neoliberal politics (Harvey, 2005)

12. In conclusion
Importance of the alternative voice

13. In conclusion
Changing dominant paradigm through coordinated action
Automobility, Urry (2004)
Velomobility, Koglin (2014)
New mobility paradigm, Sheller (2006)

14. Thank you
Email
S.Watson2@newcastle.ac.uk
katja.leyendecker@northumbria.ac.uk
Twitter
@sallyonbike
@katsdekker

15. References
• Aldred, R. (2015). Adults’ attitudes towards child cycling: a study of the impact of
infrastructure. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURE
RESEARCH, 15(2), 92 - 115.
• Harvey, D. (2005). A brief history of neoliberalism. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Jensen, O. B. (2013). Staging mobilities: Routledge.
• Pooley, C. G. et al. (2013). Promoting Walking and Cycling : New Perspectives on
Sustainable Travel. Bristol: Policy Press.
• Pucher, J. R., & Buehler, R. (2012). City cycling: MIT Press.
• Spotswood, F. et al. (2015). Analysing cycling as a social practice: An empirical
grounding for behaviour change. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic
Psychology and Behaviour, 29, 22-33. doi:10.1016/j.trf.2014.12.001
• Urry, J. (2004). The ‘System’ of Automobility. Theory, Culture & Society, 21(4-5),
25-39. doi:10.1177/0263276404046059
• Koglin, T. (2014). Vélomobility and the politics of transport planning. GeoJournal,
80, 569-586. doi:10.1007/s10708-014-9565-7
• Monsere, C., et al. (2014). NITC-RR-583 Protected Lanes - lessons from the green
lanes : evaluating protected bike lanes in the US.
• Sheller, M., & Urry, J. (2006). The new mobilities paradigm. Environment and
Planning A, 38(2), 207-226. doi:10.1068/a37268

16. Abstract
Probing elusive power structures within a city’s cycling politics
Transport cycling in all its forms (performing, production and politics) is pushing hard against the socio-technical system
of automobility, as described by Urry (2004). The spatial turn combined with the need to re-apportion urban space
away from the car (Pooley et al, 2013; and Pucher & Buehler, 2012), making the implementation of transport cycling
incontestably political. In resistance to automobility, velomobility studies, such as by Koglin (2014), are emerging under
the new mobilities model (Sheller et al, 2006) investigating current imbalances and redirecting future trajectories
toward a more sustainable society. Our investigation seeks to uncover and dissect the structures of power and politics
present in a city that has started a tentative transition away from the private car.
Using Jensen’s staging mobilities framework (Jensen, 2013, page 6), we will begin our examination by looking from
‘above’ and carry out document analysis on transport-related policies for Newcastle upon Tyne. This gives us an
understanding of the way highways and public spaces are valued, albeit in a theoretical political plain. The actual
practical plain will be evaluated through space observations and interrogation of secondary data sets. Looking from
‘below’ we will assemble a user perspective on the possibilities and needs of space reallocation through interviews and
natural observations. Bringing the ‘above’ and ‘below’ together we will discuss what the pressures are that are put on
the practices that produce space and the political skills to command a transport transition. In conclusion we will draw
on our activist backgrounds to formulate ideas for the decision-making and campaigning processes involved in making
Newcastle’s civic society fit for cycling.
References
1. Jensen, O. B. (2013). Staging mobilities: Routledge.
2. Urry, J. (2004). The ‘System’ of Automobility. Theory, Culture & Society, 21(4-5), 25-39.
doi:10.1177/0263276404046059
3. Pucher, J. R., & Buehler, R. (2012). City cycling: MIT Press
4. Pooley, C. G., et al. (2013). Promoting Walking and Cycling : New Perspectives on Sustainable Travel. Bristol: Policy
Press
5. Koglin, T. (2014). Vélomobility and the politics of transport planning. GeoJournal, 80, 569-586. doi:10.1007/s10708-
014-9565-7
6. Sheller, M., & Urry, J. (2006). The new mobilities paradigm. Environment and Planning A, 38(2), 207-226.
doi:10.1068/a37268