Framing (Bi)cycle Urbanism
Smarter Than Car is breeding a theoretical framework since some while which can be used to discuss the role of cycles (defined as pedal-powered vehicles oft two or three wheels) in contemporary and future cities. With the term (bi)cycle urbanism we aim at supporting a new integrated role for pedal-powered vehicles in urban environments; for living in, managing and constructing the contemporary global city. While attending venues such as the 2010 UIA congress, lectures at ETH Zurich or pedalafest Zagreb and the Velo-city 2012 we are actively discussing the concept and are grateful for the thoughts shared with us during this process*.
So what does STC put forward as (bi)cycle urbanism?
(Bi)cycle urbanism relates to the merger of two great human inventions: The city and the ball bearing. Those two put together, namely the city as a means for condensed humanity (and culture), and the ball bearing as a means for sustainable individual mobility, allow people to live in a very distinct way. (Bi)cycle urbanism relates to the creation of an urbanity which does not depend on excessive amounts of speed.
Framing the concept of a (bi)cycle urbanism we are distinguishing three levels for understanding what (bi)cycle urbanism implies for human societies. (I) Individual (bi)cycle urbanism, (II) Institutional (bi)cycle urbanism, and, (III) Societal (bi)cylce urbanism.
*We are for example very grateful to Peter Cox about a recent discussion on (bi)cycle urbanism which allowed us to streamline terminology use in communicating our ideas on (bi)cyle urbanism.
