In an effort to understand urban bicycle commuting and the barriers to entry for individuals wishing to switch to non-motorized transport (NMT), I acquired a bike and started cycling. My initial responses are intended to be as authentic and personal as possible. As an urban designer, my hope is to superimpose this somewhat gritty perspective onto a carefully considered theoretical understanding of the transformative potential of NMT orientated cities.
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With thanks to my kind sponsors Woodstock Cycleworks and 183km of Cape Town road surfaces, these are some aspects of urban cycling to consider:
The cycling ideal to which our city aspires to is an unrealistic neoliberal pipe dream.
Breathe. Consider the alternatives to the picture perfect, seemingly effortless cruise of a fixie to the rhythm of Mumford and Sons while casually sipping from a BPHfree bottle with custom crafted leather strap.
Urban commuting demands maximum awareness, pushing hard, getting off, leaning on, veering from, swerving, the s-word (showering) the f-word (fitness). Cape Town roads are highly contested spaces and a far cry from the organized carbon neutral bliss of our European role models. My experience of a Golden Arrow bus convoy, 9 vehicles in length, occupying and effectively neutralizing the Main Road public transport lane to all but buses was an example of this tussle at its finest.
It's nothing like the pictures (filtered with desaturated tones and grainy vignette).
Getting there is not the same as getting back.
Planning is critical when setting out on a commute of even the shortest distances. In the case of cycle lanes, suitable crossings and road conditions, I have discovered that the route back is often much less accommodating. Not every cycle route welcomes traffic in both directions nor is suitable if you plan your return journey during vehicular peak hours. Routes are best planned as loops, adding variety and ensuring a thorough understanding of challenges along the way.
Spinning is just like cycling except it is not.
I reluctantly tried a spinning class on a rainy day I had intended for a long strenuous ride. Developing a cycling fitness is critical to a safe journey, so with that in mind I joined the 45min stationary bike session to at least get some kilometers behind me. Is was comforting to have a 1.5m berth on either side of me, which I knew needed only to be contested once. Each participant found their machine while the instructor cued up his playlist and dialed up the studio fans to maximum simulated wind speed. I expected to be surrounded by Lycra clad gym bunnies but was surprised to find how pleasant it was to ride two abreast while talking to my neighbor about his upcoming 8 day long staged cycle race. Sounds epic!
The Argus route map on the wall and references throughout the class to the gradients and challenges expected, left me with no doubt that the majority of participants were opting for the safer training experience. Spinning is exhausting, great fun and nothing like cycling at all which must be why it is so popular.
Four months remain for me to cycle and recycle my notions of urban commuting and the NMT experience in Cape Town. More questions will no doubt arise, but for the time being I will continue to uncover the authentic and gritty world that lies outside of my petrol powered cage.
Comments and tweets are welcome@contestedspaces
Don't forget your helmet.
