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Abstract
The purpose of this thesis is to understand the processes of space-claiming and re-negotiations of citizenship which cyclists encounter and engender in Sydney. Additionally, to gain a gender perspective on the cycling-related built environment. Urban cycling is gaining prevalence in planning and policy discourses both nationally and internationally, as governments design, plan, and manage sustainable cities. Cycling has well documented health, social, economic, and environmental benefits, and can form part of a holistic approach to planning sustainable cities. In order to increase cycling participation rates, Councils across Sydney are currently retrofitting the existing city with cycling infrastructure.
The introduction of cycling policies at all levels of government in Australia, and the subsequent implementation of physical infrastructure, has gone some way to legitimising cycling and increasing Cycling participation rates. Women have been identified as the biggest market to increase Cycling participation rates. Yet female cyclists remain under-represented and their experiences under-researched in Sydney. To date there has been little ethnographic research on the infrastructure preferences of users or the experiences of female cyclists. This research focuses on Sydneysiders who currently cycle, paying particular attention to the women’s urban experience.
This thesis adopted quantitative and qualitative research methodologies to build a robust image of cycling in Sydney. A thorough review of theoretical and practical discourses identified best practice and innovative research methodologies. Primary data about cycling practices, experiences, and infrastructure preferences were obtained through a web-based survey of 357 cyclists (38% female), two discussion group sessions comprising 20 cyclists (9 males and 11 females), and a Nelessen-style Visual Preference Survey.
The research found that participants preferred ideal cycling infrastructure options which offered; the most or more space, visibility, clear sight lines, an attractive street-scape, minimal obstacles, and good quality surface-treatments. Analysis of personal cycling narratives found that cyclists and cycling need to be legitimized and normalised in urban areas in order to encourage participation. These cycling narratives emphasized the need to improve women's rights to the physical and social spaces of the cycling city on numerous levels. The research also found that space-claiming is achieved in different ways by men and women.
Findings provide evidence of the diversity of cyclists in Sydney, a deeper understanding of their wide-ranging needs, and inform a gender perspective of contemporary urban cycling. The thesis provides policy recommendations to the City of Sydney Council to help increase female cycling participation rates in Sydney, emphasizing the women’s right to the city. Although this study was based in Sydney, it is transferable to other urbanised areas of Australia that are retrofitting for cycling.