Cycletopia in the sticks: bicycle advocacy beyond the city limits

Abstract

This paper explores the experiences and perspectives of bicycle advocates in regional areas of New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Globally, cycling presents opportunities for affordable and sustainable transport and healthy lifestyles. Developing a global cycling system depends upon deliberative visions of a better future. Yet, urban cycling advocacy is engaged in a ‘permanent provocation’ with motoring. Regional/rural advocacy contrasts against urban advocacy. Research, based on data collected in 2013–2014, explored the practice of cycling advocacy in regional areas, the formation of regional advocate identities and advocates’ visions for the future. Alternative geographic imaginaries for cycling are presented. Radical societal change is not expected by regional bicycle advocates but an embodied sensibility presents ‘re-wilding’ as an emerging post-colonial discursive position to embrace.