Cycling and Sustainability (eBook)

The book explores the reasons for difficulties in making cycling mainstream in many cultures, despite its claims for being one of the most sustainable forms of transport. The topic is looked at from the varying perspectives of people, the environment and the economy with multi-disciplinary contributions from the UK, Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden, Spain, Germany, Australia, China and USA. Initially it examines the cultural development of cycling in countries with high use and the differences in use between different sub-groups of the population. It then explores issues of urban form, and the attributes of the network and the system for appropriately accommodating cycle users. Cross-cultural issues are once again investigated through an exposition of research in developing countries and the environment in which scheme promoters and users operate. The book draws to a close with an exploration of state-of-the-art thinking on demand model.

---

This book explores the reasons for difficulties in making cycling mainstream in many cultures, despite its claims for being one of the most sustainable forms of transport. In conditions of relatively low use, cycle users become more closely identified with their means of transport than users of other modes. Such personality-based considerations led to the need initially for the book to explore the cultural development of cycling in countries with high use and the differences in use between different sub-groups of the population. After a consideration of the possible role and function of the private sector, the lessons learned from the book are placed in a socio-political context with a call for required action to create a revolution in cycle use.