National Transport Library Research Database

Ökad och säker cykling från ett nationellt perspektiv (Increased cycling and safer cycling from a national perspective)

Sponsors, duration, budget: Trafikverket ; 2017-04-01 -- 2024-11-30 Registration number:
  • Trafikverket 2016/95452
Subject(s): Online resources: Abstract: Syfte med avhandlingsarbetet är primärt att undersöka cykelns plats i den nationella transportpolitiken och planeringen och att föreslå strategier för att åstadkomma en ökad och säker cykling.Abstract: The aim of the thesis is to explore the position of cycling in national transport policy and propose strategies to increase cycling at a national level. A number of large societal problems – e.g. our dependency on high carbon mobility, social inequity and physical inactivity or sedentary behaviour, are calling for a high priority for cycling in transport policy. Recognitions of the positive effects of cycling, has (in Sweden) led to an expansion of urban and in a lesser extent regional strategies and plans to increase cycling but it has so far not resulted in a strong vigorous national policy with this aim. Within transport policy and mainstream research, mobility is considered a derived demand, the transport system a neutral facilitator and travel behaviour a result of individual purposes, preferences, intentions, attitudes, interests and habits. Transport policy and mainstream research aiming at climate change mitigation and active transport (equity is still not really embedded in transport policy) are primarily focusing on 1) technological change to become less dependent on fossil fuels, 2) the provision of infrastructure and urban land use change to increase attractivity of walking, cycling and public transport, and 3) behaviour change by targeting individual choices and attitudes. However, due to a continuing pursuit of economic growth and the supposed link between mobility and economic growth, national governments are at the same time still aiming for a reduction in travel times which use to make especially car-travel more attractive and which sustains the dominating view on mobility. This thesis draws mainly from mobilities research and discourse theory to reveal the power relations that uphold the subordinated position of cycling in national transport policy.
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