Qualitative accounts of urban commuter cycling

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the live experiences of urban commuter cycling (UCC).

Design/methodology/approach

In semi‐structured interviews, participants described day‐to‐day experiences of UCC in a single English city. Verbatim transcripts were coded using the themes of time, space, body and human relations, and interpreted through the principles of hermeneutic phenomenology.

Findings

The nine participants (seven males, two females) were aged 27 to 54. Each regularly commuted by bicycle at least three times per week for “18 months” to “27 years”. Strong influences on commuter cycling included the weather, daily tasks, cycling infrastructure, driver behaviour and the value of cycling for physical and mental well being. The contest for space was central to the UCC experience, with UCCs sensing they lacked respect despite feeling that they were “embodying citizenship” by enacting public policy. Due to their regular negative experiences, many UCCs were now willing to quit cycling and commute by car.

Research limitations/implications

Findings are limited to regular commuter cyclists and do little to describe the passage into regular cycling.

Practical applications

This paper highlights that cycle promoters and health educators may profit from focusing on road user interactions during the rush hour.

Originality/value

This paper addresses the untold day‐to‐day experiences of UCCs.

Citation

McKenna, J. and Whatling, M. (2007), "Qualitative accounts of urban commuter cycling", Health Education, Vol. 107 No. 5, pp. 448-462. https://doi.org/10.1108/09654280710778583