On a Bike in the City

Autoethnography of Experiences of Urban Cycling

Abstract

The article examines urban cycling not only as a means of transportation, but also as an embodied experience that unfolds in the communication between the cyclist as a body, the bicycle as a device, and the urban infrastructure as a place and landscape. Using an autoethnographic approach, the article analyzes three group cycling events in Sofia, Cagliari, and Vienna to reveal the diverse social, cultural, and aesthetic dimensions of cycling. The study begins with a review of the academic literature on cycling and its significance in the context of sustainable urban development. The methodology and scope of the field study are then presented. The main analysis includes three cases: the “Sofia green tour,” a tourist cycling tour in Sofia viewed from the perspective of a tour guide; the “Critical Mass” protest march in Cagliari as a form of civic activism; and the “Spiral bike” bicycle concert with electronic music in Vienna as an example of creative use of urban space. In conclusion, the article synthesizes the main conclusions and offers guidelines for improving urban cycling infrastructure, addressing both local authorities and active cyclists.

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