Tehran, a metropolis characterized by car dominance, presents a stark contrast between its car-centric planning and the minority presence of cyclists. Recently, grassroots movements and bottom-up initiatives have emerged, focusing on cycling to challenge the prevailing car culture and car-oriented paradigm while advocating for inclusive cycling. In such a socio-politically challenging context, bottom-up practices and strengthening the human infrastructure can serve as driving forces to transform space and promote cycling, facilitating change from below.
The human infrastructure is a valuable framework that pays particular attention to the emotional, social, and educational aspects of cycling. It emphasizes soft measures and community-led initiatives to reinforce cycling cultures and overcome contextual obstacles. Our lessons learned have revealed three interconnected: Educating, Networking, and Advocating. We need to pay attention to the human infrastructure as well as the hard infrastructure. We have found the loop essential to promote cycling from below and within society.
Educating
Many individuals in Tehran lack the necessary cycling skills and knowledge to confidently navigate the city’s car-centric environment. This deficit prevents people from embracing cycling as a mode of transportation, hindering the progress towards a more inclusive and bike-friendly city. Inclusive cycling education emphasizes the importance of catering to the needs of diverse populations, ensuring that everyone, regardless of age, gender, or physical ability, can participate in cycling. It creates a supportive environment where all individuals, irrespective of their backgrounds or abilities, can learn to embrace cycling as a viable mode of transportation and contribute to the growing movement for a more bike-friendly Tehran.
To make cycling education accessible to all, community workshops, classes, and training sessions can be organized in collaboration with local schools, community centers, and non-profit organizations. Such initiatives can provide hands-on learning opportunities for individuals to develop essential cycling skills, learn about road safety, and become familiar with the benefits of cycling as a sustainable mode of transportation. These educational efforts can significantly increase the number of cyclists on the streets and foster public support for cycling infrastructure and policies.
Networking
The second component is focused on networking, which involves bringing together educated individuals who share a passion for cycling and are committed to making a change. Strengthening these connections can be achieved through workshops, cycling tours, and community events that provide opportunities for cyclists to engage, collaborate, and exchange ideas, especially on a neighborhood scale. Leveraging digital platforms can further enhance the reach and impact of these cycling communities. As these small networks grow, they form the foundation for larger, interconnected cycling groups that play a pivotal role in promoting new mobility discourse and fostering cycling culture from the grassroots level on a city scale.
In addition to in-person events, online platforms can be instrumental in connecting cycling enthusiasts from across Tehran. Social media groups, forums, and dedicated websites can serve as virtual hubs for cyclists to share information, resources, and personal experiences, as well as to plan events and coordinate advocacy efforts. This online networking can also help forge connections between cycling communities and other like-minded organizations, such as environmental groups or public health advocates, further strengthening the collective voice calling for a more bike-friendly Tehran.
Advocating
Advocacy for cycling on a larger scale becomes more effective when individuals are well-educated about cycling and are part of strong cycling networks. These well-educated and well-networked cycling communities can serve as advocates for cycling, sharing their experiences and encouraging more people to embrace it. They engage more effectively with local authorities and policymakers, ensuring that cyclists’ voices are heard and their needs are prioritized in urban planning decisions. As potential leaders, they play a crucial role in engaging new people in cycling education: a continuous loop of educating, networking, and advocating for an inclusive bike-friendly environment.
Effective advocacy efforts can include organizing public campaigns to raise awareness of cycling benefits, petitioning for improved cycling infrastructure, and engaging with local media to highlight the challenges faced by cyclists in Tehran. These advocacy initiatives can help build public support for cycling as a sustainable transportation option and put pressure on policymakers to invest in creating a more bike-friendly city. By bringing about systemic change, advocates can help ensure that Tehran’s urban mobility landscape evolves to be more inclusive and accessible for cyclists. As potential leaders, they play a crucial role in engaging new people in cycling education: a continuous loop of educating, networking, and advocating for an inclusive bike-friendly environment.
