Written by Paloma Chuquín Alarcón | 2024 CRB Scholarship Program
The decision to utilize cycling as a mode of transportation is often influenced by a variety of factors, with individuals carefully considering the associated benefits and drawbacks. Numerous studies have examined the factors that shape this decision, including socioeconomic status (can I afford a bicycle?), cycling proficiency (do I know how to ride?), the availability of infrastructure (are there dedicated bike lanes?), gender (is cycling safe in the given environment?), safety (will my bicycle be stolen?), distance (is the destination too far?), practicality (can I take a washing machine in my bike?), among others. However, while many individuals possess the freedom to weigh these factors and make informed decisions, others may be compelled to rely on cycling due to financial constraints or the absence of public transportation options. In such cases, the decision to cycle transitions from a discretionary choice to a necessity, underscoring the complex interplay of a variety of factors.
“We ride bikes because there is no money for anything else”
Martin Mathe (Brown, 2016)
Cycling can be a liberating mode of transportation when we can choose it. However, it becomes far less appealing when it is a necessity. Such is the case of most cyclists in Diepsloot, a township in Johannesburg, South Africa. These cyclists commute daily distances as far as 60km, navigating busy avenues without safe cycling infrastructure, all while facing reckless minibus drivers. Their situation is even more precarious when, in the event of an accident or theft, seeking help from authorities is not an option, due to their undocumented immigration status. Moreover, in South Africa where xenophobia is prevalent, immigrants may face additional challenges, as cycling can be stigmatized in low-income areas of the main cities (as it is associated with poverty, those too poor to afford public transit, cycle) further marginalizing an already vulnerable population.
Nevertheless, cycling remains a lifeline. It enables these individuals to commute to work and earn money to send back to their families abroad, it also provides opportunities for additional income—such as renting out bikes to businesses offering cycling tours through the township.
Me: A cycle path will help?
Cyclist: What is a cycle path? The road is good enough.
Me: What about cheaper public transport?
Cyclist: Free public transport?
Me: What about a service that takes you and your bike to a central area of the city and you can cycle from there?
Cyclist: Only if that service is free.
Cyclists: The best help would be a new bike.
From interviews and surveys with Diepsloot Cyclists
When considering the experiences of Diepsloot cyclists, it is crucial to recognize the multiple factors intersecting and influencing their power of decision. Golub et al (2016, p. 9) argue that the achievement of bicycle justice requires utilizing an emancipatory framework that “considers how power influences the development of transportation policies and programs along dimensions of race, class, gender, and language.” As a result, emancipatory bicycle justice “is not only a distributional paradigm but one based on representation and empowerment” (Golub et al., 2016, p. 9). In the case of township cyclists, for instance, access to more frequent and adequate public transport —currently lacking in the township— would not necessarily alter cycling practices, as often they do not have the financial resources to afford such alternatives.
Furthermore, when examining these cyclists on an individual level, it is essential to acknowledge that their status as immigrants—many of whom are undocumented—compels them to remain invisible, hindering their ability to participate in formal deliberative or decision-making processes. While at the governmental level, they are frequently scapegoated and unjustly blamed for broader societal issues, further marginalizing their voices and hindering their ability to influence policy decisions.
At a regional level, the historical legacies of colonialism and apartheid continue to shape spatial segregation in South Africa, with racialized low-income individuals concentrated in peripheral urban areas. While infrastructure improvements, such as the construction of a cycle path to Diepsloot, can enhance safety, it won’t address the exhaustion caused by their long and arduous commutes.
A deeper analysis of the circumstances faced by Diepsloot cyclists reveals a complex interplay of factors that perpetuate poverty and inequality. While, their decision to cycle is not one of free choice but rather constrained by economic hardship, this is only a small representation of a broader systemic issue, highlighting how structural inequalities at both local and global levels shape their lives and opportunities.
Although, I acknowledge that cycling alone will not solve all the problems of this group of individuals, I believe that it can serve as a catalyst for positive change. A set of policy recommendations focused initially on implementing programs that provide cyclists with a safe environment to learn about various bicycle-related business opportunities and connect with others can foster a sense of community and support. Additionally, such initiatives could provide access to information on legal pathways for regularizing their immigration status in the country while empowering them to advocate for their rights and participate more fully in society.
This article sought to illuminate the complex realities underlying the decision to cycle, particularly for marginalized groups like township cyclists. Recognizing these interrelated factors is essential for developing effective interventions to address the systemic challenges they confront.
References
- Brown, R. L. (2016, October 28). Are bike lanes racist and classist? That’s the debate in South Africa. Washington Post. Retrieved January 13, 2022, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/are-bike-lanes-racist-and-classist-thats-a-debate-in-south-africa/2016/10/27/e4212ffa-971e-11e6-9cae-2a3574e296a6_story.html
- Golub, A., Hoffmann, M., Lugo, A., & Sandoval, G. (2016). Bicycle Justice and Urban Transformation: Biking for all? Routledge Equity, Justice and the Sustainable City series, London.
