Bicycle Justice and Urban Transformation: Biking for all?
Edited by Aaron Golub, Melody L. Hoffmann, Adonia E. Lugo, Gerardo F. Sandoval (2016, Routledge, 270 pages).
How can our cities better provide for all bicyclists, not simply prioritize those with the privilege of biking for fitness and fun? CLLAS co-director Gerardo F. Sandoval’s newly released book on bicycle justice provides multiple perspectives on re-designing cities for people on bike with a lens of equitable planning, policy, and advocacy. Along with coeditors Aaron Golub (Portland State University), Melody L. Hoffmann (Anoka Ramsey Community College), and Adonia E. Lugo (California State University-Los Angeles), Dr. Sandoval has drawn from multiple disciplines to provide a timely perspective on how cities’ increasing move to enhancing their bicycle transportation systems can do so in a way that serves all community members. Dr. Sandoval is an associate professor in the UO Department of Planning, Public Policy, and Management.
From the Publisher’s Synopsis: “Bicycle Justice and Urban Transformation demonstrates that for those with privilege, bicycling can be liberatory, a lifestyle choice, whereas for those surviving at the margins, cycling is not a choice, but an often oppressive necessity. Ignoring these ‘invisible’ cyclists skews bicycle improvements towards those with choices. This book argues that it is vital to contextualize bicycling within a broader social justice framework if investments are to serve all street users equitably. ‘Bicycle justice’ is an inclusionary social movement based on furthering material equity and the recognition that qualitative differences matter.”
“This book may indeed help start a movement for inclusive, equitable bicycle justice. Grounded in clear thinking and strong examples, this unique collection offers a probing assessment of both the tendency to stereotype ‘deserving’ bicyclists, marginalizing others, and the patently inequitable distribution of public investments in bicycle infrastructure.” – June M. Thomas, Centennial Professor, Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, The University of Michigan, USA