Lycra = a negative influence!
SpaceBadger
Posts: 113
Some interesting views...!
Professor Chris Rissel and colleagues from (the former) Sydney South West AHS qualitatively analysed images and perceptions of cycling among seventy adults from inner Sydney, who were either regular, occasional or non-riders. A focus on the activity of cycling, versus the actions of cyclists was an important distinction to emerge. Themes linked to the activity of cycling included: ‘clean and green’; ‘healthy and fun’; ‘dangerous’ and ‘serious business’, whilst themes linked to actions of cyclists included: ‘risk takers and law breakers’ and ‘status and sub-cultures’.
Discussion centred on the low social status of riding over other transport modes, the relative acceptability of different riding sub-cultures, the ‘green’ image of cycling transport and the status associated with the riders’ clothing and bicycle choice. For example, specialised lycra cycling clothing and its ‘serious and sporty’ connotation, was a negative influence for non-riders. While ‘cycling’ was generally viewed as a positive, environmentally friendly activity, the actions of some ‘cyclists’ were disliked, and this influenced views about cycling, particularly among non-riders.
Non-riders perceived cyclists who rode for sport or commuting as rule breakers and risk takers. However, regular riders felt unfairly judged by this stereotype. There is a need to improve public acceptability of cycling, as well as change social norms so that cycling is seen as an everyday activity that can be undertaken by almost anyone, without the need for special clothing, expensive equipment or limited purpose-built facilities.
A second study by Chris and his team found that there has been an increase in the reporting of cycling in major Sydney and Melbourne newspapers [from 106 stories in 1998/99 to 169 in 2007/8]. Positive framing of ‘cycling’, such as the health or environmental benefits, was more widespread than negative framing; whereas framing of ‘cyclists’ such as the injury or death of a cyclist, was more negative than positive framing.Overall, news coverage appears to reflect developments in the different cities, with increases in positive reporting of cycling observed in Melbourne, following increases in cycling in that city. Real physical or political improvements to the cycling environment may be necessary before coverage becomes more positive.
References:
Daley M, Rissel C. Perspectives and images of cycling as a barrier or facilitator of cycling. Transport Policy 2010; 18: 211-216.
Rissel C, Bonfiglioli C, Emilsen A, Smith BJ. Representations of cycling in metropolitan newspapers - changes over time and differences between Sydney and Melbourne, Australia. BMC Public Health 2010, 10:371.[/b]
Professor Chris Rissel and colleagues from (the former) Sydney South West AHS qualitatively analysed images and perceptions of cycling among seventy adults from inner Sydney, who were either regular, occasional or non-riders. A focus on the activity of cycling, versus the actions of cyclists was an important distinction to emerge. Themes linked to the activity of cycling included: ‘clean and green’; ‘healthy and fun’; ‘dangerous’ and ‘serious business’, whilst themes linked to actions of cyclists included: ‘risk takers and law breakers’ and ‘status and sub-cultures’.
Discussion centred on the low social status of riding over other transport modes, the relative acceptability of different riding sub-cultures, the ‘green’ image of cycling transport and the status associated with the riders’ clothing and bicycle choice. For example, specialised lycra cycling clothing and its ‘serious and sporty’ connotation, was a negative influence for non-riders. While ‘cycling’ was generally viewed as a positive, environmentally friendly activity, the actions of some ‘cyclists’ were disliked, and this influenced views about cycling, particularly among non-riders.
Non-riders perceived cyclists who rode for sport or commuting as rule breakers and risk takers. However, regular riders felt unfairly judged by this stereotype. There is a need to improve public acceptability of cycling, as well as change social norms so that cycling is seen as an everyday activity that can be undertaken by almost anyone, without the need for special clothing, expensive equipment or limited purpose-built facilities.
A second study by Chris and his team found that there has been an increase in the reporting of cycling in major Sydney and Melbourne newspapers [from 106 stories in 1998/99 to 169 in 2007/8]. Positive framing of ‘cycling’, such as the health or environmental benefits, was more widespread than negative framing; whereas framing of ‘cyclists’ such as the injury or death of a cyclist, was more negative than positive framing.Overall, news coverage appears to reflect developments in the different cities, with increases in positive reporting of cycling observed in Melbourne, following increases in cycling in that city. Real physical or political improvements to the cycling environment may be necessary before coverage becomes more positive.
References:
Daley M, Rissel C. Perspectives and images of cycling as a barrier or facilitator of cycling. Transport Policy 2010; 18: 211-216.
Rissel C, Bonfiglioli C, Emilsen A, Smith BJ. Representations of cycling in metropolitan newspapers - changes over time and differences between Sydney and Melbourne, Australia. BMC Public Health 2010, 10:371.[/b]
"I think the phrase rhymes with Clucking Bell"
FCN = 4
FCN = 4
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Comments
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Would be interesting to run the same analysis based on type of bicycle being ridden.FCN 5 belt driven fixie for city bits
CAADX 105 beastie for bumpy bits
Litespeed L3 for Strava bits
Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast.0 -
Hmm. New South Wales which has more than its fair share of rev-heads who are obsessed with Bathurst and the Ford/ Holden rivalry. I expect you'd get similar results from the more redneck US States.
In my completely biased and non-scientifically reviewed opinion by far the scariest cycling is by one of two groups.
1. Hybrid riders with shiny high viz.
2. Fixie riders in skinny jeans and trainers.
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I wonder if the non riders that complain about law breaking & risk taking all drive 1 mph under the speed limit at an approriate distance, use their mirrors and indicate every turn. Or have never walked with earphones in, or on their mobile or stepped off the pavement without making doubly sure nothing is coming.
people (cyclists included esp RLJ apologists & sections of the recent pavement debaters) are always very good at seeing the fault in others and glossing over their own preferred options failings.0 -
Nah... scariest cycling is done by women in floaty dresses on step-throughs.
There was one at Stockwell earlier in the week who breezily RLJ'd just as the traffic from Brixton Road started up.... and then filtered across the moving traffic coming from Clapham to go down South Lambeth Road. Cars (who had right of way) were having to brake stupidly to avoid her. Absolutely nuts!0 -
Interesting stuff but rather linked with the specifics of Sydney. North Sydney is seriously hilly whilst the south and west is pretty much pan-flat. You need balls of steel to cycle courier North Sydney. Cycling culture is different through the States, Victoria seems the most cycle-friendly, S A & N S W mixed and Queensland rather hostile IME. There is a strong resonance between certain sections of the population, young males mainly, and the Top Gear mentalists in this country
As Kurako wrote, there is a 'red-neck' element in Oz, especially Queensland.
However, you can cycle along the hard shoulder of the Highways, which are often equivalent to a Motorway in GB. Not an option I have ever taken :shock:The older I get the faster I was0 -
That makes me feel much better.
At least I now know that it isn't just the UK that sponsors meaningless academic research, apparently from the public health budget, from the "stating the bleedin' obvious" school of science.
Mind you, he's also an exponent of the 'no sh!t Sherlock' school as well with the quote "... [research established that] .mandatory helmet wearing for adults was “questionable'', as the requirement could act as a hurdle to encouraging more bike use".
Bob0 -
'obvious' studies are not pointless. at the very least they provide verification. things would go very wrong if policies are made on basis of intuition alone.beverick wrote:That makes me feel much better.
At least I now know that it isn't just the UK that sponsors meaningless academic research, apparently from the public health budget, from the "stating the bleedin' obvious" school of science.
Mind you, he's also an exponent of the 'no sh!t Sherlock' school as well with the quote "... [research established that] .mandatory helmet wearing for adults was “questionable'', as the requirement could act as a hurdle to encouraging more bike use".
Bob0 -
"that cycling is seen as an everyday activity that can be undertaken by almost anyone, without the need for .........expensive equipment"
Obvioulsy not doing it right then
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tx14 wrote:
'obvious' studies are not pointless. at the very least they provide verification. things would go very wrong if policies are made on basis of intuition alone.beverick wrote:That makes me feel much better.
At least I now know that it isn't just the UK that sponsors meaningless academic research, apparently from the public health budget, from the "stating the bleedin' obvious" school of science.
Mind you, he's also an exponent of the 'no sh!t Sherlock' school as well with the quote "... [research established that] .mandatory helmet wearing for adults was “questionable'', as the requirement could act as a hurdle to encouraging more bike use".
Bob
I spend a great deal of my time disproving common sense and pointing out that the 'bleedin' obvious' is just plain wrong. Since doesn't take things at face value, that's what I like about it.Mud - Genesis Vapour CCX
Race - Fuji Norcom Straight
Sun - Cervelo R3
Winter / Commute - Dolan ADX0
