Biketivism and Technology: Historical Reflections and Appropriations

In Western society bicycling is commonly perceived as either a sport, a form of leisure, an activity for children, or at best, a utilitarian transportation technology. In this paper, I contest these assumptions by discussing ways in which both bicycling & bicycle technologies are politicized as a response to the cultural, social & political norms of Western society. Through historical examples that include 19th century Socialists, "first wave" feminists, & 1960's Dutch Anarchists, I provide a theoretical context in which one can understand how present day activists appropriate the bicycle through a dialectic of action & communication. In short, I demonstrate how a seemingly neutral technology (the bicycle) & an everyday activity (bicycling) can be utilized as tools for dissent, protest, & cultural critique.

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Work Title Biketivism and Technology: Historical Reflections and Appropriations
Access
Open Access
Creators
  1. Zack Furness
Keyword
  1. Bicycle
  2. Bicycling
  3. Biketivism
  4. Car Culture
  5. Critical Mass
  6. Feminism
  7. Dutch Provos
  8. Situationists
  9. Social Movements
  10. Technological Appropriation
License In Copyright (Rights Reserved)
Work Type Article
Publisher
  1. Social Epistemology
Publication Date 2005
Language
  1. English
Publisher Identifier (DOI)
  1. https://doi.org/10.1080/02691720500145696
Deposited March 14, 2023

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    • Social Epistemology
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    Source
    • Social Epistemology
    Publisher
    • Taylor & Francis, Abingdon UK
    • Social Epistemology
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