As bicycle commuting grows in the United States, the profile of the white, middle-class cyclist has emerged. This stereotype evolves just as investments in cycling play an increasingly important role in neighborhood transformations. However, despite stereotypes, the cycling public is actually quite diverse, with the greatest share falling into the lowest income categories.

Bicycle Justice and Urban Transformation demonstrates that for those with privilege, bicycling can be liberatory, a lifestyle choice, whereas for those surviving at the margins, cycling is not a choice, but an often oppressive necessity. Ignoring these "invisible" cyclists skews bicycle improvements towards those with choices. This book argues that it is vital to contextualize bicycling within a broader social justice framework if investments are to serve all street users equitably. "Bicycle justice" is an inclusionary social movement based on furthering material equity and the recognition that qualitative differences matter.

This book illustrates equitable bicycle advocacy, policy and planning. In synthesizing the projects of critical cultural studies, transportation justice and planning, the book reveals the relevance of social justice to public and community-driven investments in cycling. This book will interest professionals, advocates, academics and students in the fields of transportation planning, urban planning, community development, urban geography, sociology and policy.

About the Author

Aaron Golub is Associate Professor in the Nohad A. Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning at Portland State University, Oregon, USA.

Melody L. Hoffmann is a mass communication instructor at Anoka Ramsey Community College near Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.

Adonia E. Lugo is an urban anthropologist and co-founder of the Bicicultures network, USA.

Gerardo F. Sandoval is Associate Professor at the Department of Planning, Public Policy and Management and the Co-Director of the Center for Latino/a and Latin American Studies at the University of Oregon, USA.

Reviews

"Bicycle justice has become a major concern in the US. This group of authors provides an impressive array of case studies on bicycle justice and the overlooked or invisible riders creating bicycle advocacy and planning. These bike advocates promote more transportation choices for everyone while the transportation justice advocates demand that bicycling and all forms of transportation be understood as a civil rights issue." - Glenn S. Johnson, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies, Texas Southern University, Barbara Jordan Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs, Houston, Texas, USA

"This book may indeed help start a movement for inclusive, equitable bicycle justice. Grounded in clear thinking and strong examples, this unique collection offers a probing assessment of both the tendency to stereotype "deserving" bicyclists, marginalizing others, and the patently inequitable distribution of public investments in bicycle infrastructure." - June M. Thomas, Centennial Professor, Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, The University of Michigan, USA"Postgraduates and academics will find this book rich and informative. This book would also serve as an excellent source for a course on urban transport justice".
Cyrille Medard de Chardona,Universite du Luxembourg, Local Environment The International Journal of Justice and Sustainability

Book Information
ISBN 9780815359203
Author Aaron Golub
Format Paperback
Page Count 294
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Inc
Weight(grams) 548g