Cycling Cities: The African Experience

Beschrijving

We are pleased to announce the new research-publication project Cycling Cities: The African Experience spearheaded by Njogu Morgan (Wits University, Johannesburg, South Africa/University College London), Yusuf Madugu (Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria), and Ruth Oldenziel (TU Eindhoven).  The research and publication will be of interest to scholars, students, policymakers, and others. Like the companion, Cycling Cities: The European Experience, this will be an edited book containing 17 case studies from all regions of the African continent.

From Aba to Zomba via Cairo to Cape Town, this book aims to be a catalyst for change on the beautiful continent. Following the Sustainable Urban Mobility (SUM) research programme for the long-term development of transitioning towards sustainable urban mobility networks and technologies this book brings together interdisciplinary voices and minds from Africa and Europe. Together, we will build an intercontinental network of knowledge and expertise aimed at providing local solutions to global problems.

Did you know that some post-colonial African leaders sought to use the bicycle as a tool for empowerment? Julius Nyerere, upon leading Tanzania to independence, saw the bicycle as more than just a mode of transport – it was a key tool in his Ujamaa socialist vision for the future of his people. In other cases, notably in South Africa, the long shadow of colonialism has overshadowed sustainable development in favour of racial-based policies, the automobile, or both.

But in all cities, pro-bicycle activism is making a difference. From redesigned roads and transport policies to critical mass movements, cyclists across Africa are fighting to reclaim the streets. The Africa Experience is there to tell these stories and more. With maps, photographs, infographics, and tables, this book goes beyond just storytelling and provides a narrative grounded in academic rigour but with coffee table book ease of reading. It will provide a captivating story for both scholars and the casual reader alike.

Pre order the book now and support the project (book expected May 2025)