Being Smart about Cycling Futures from Coursera

What is the future of cycling in our cities that struggle to transition to more sustainable and inclusive forms of mobility? What is the role of innovation in ensuring that cycling becomes easier, safer and more accessible for different groups of people? What are Great Bikes and what are Great Cycling Cities?

In this course we tackle these questions, but we do so without providing recipes, one-size-fits-all solutions or rankings of innovations. Instead, this course helps you to develop your own approach to cycling futures and innovation. It teaches you to ask critical questions about various aspects of cycling practice and its place in mobility systems, about cycling innovation and the way in which various stakeholders imagine cycling futures.

This unique course is grounded in the results of the Smart Cycling Futures project (2016-2020), conducted in the Netherlands but through readings and assignments it engages with the wider world. Course development was made possible by sponsor enviolo.

What's inside

Syllabus

Week 1: Imagining Cycling Futures

What will the future of cycling be like? This module introduces you to one of the main ideas of the course: that cycling futures are multiple and contested. You will be introduced to velotopias- visions of urban future in which cycling is the key mode of transportation- and to cycling innovations. You'll learn about the Smart Cycling Futures research project and the paradoxes encountered in researching innovations. You will notice that scholars and innovators have different ideas on how cycling should become a more important part of our lives. The different futures that we envision prioritize different values and different ideas about cities, mobility and human interaction.

Week 2: The Bike as Part of Mobility Futures

In this module you will learn about how cycling and cycling innovations are part of a larger mobility system. First, should the goal of innovations always be to get people to shift to cycling from other modes? And, do innovations forget about the people who are already cycling? How does the practice of cycling fit with other modes? This module will also introduce you to the bike-train system, which has become highly developed in the Netherlands.

Week 3: Reinventing the Bicycle

How do innovations change the experience of cycling, its meaning, and how it is governed? This week will introduce you to new technologies and smart innovations, including both bicycles themselves and also bike infrastructure, accessories, and mobile applications. You will learn to recognize how innovations are shaped by the context in which they are developed. You'll understand how innovations can shape futures of cycling, and recognize moments where we may be choosing one future over another. We will also zoom into specifically to the subject of e-bikes, through an academic paper and a conversation with bike component manufacturer enviolo.

Week 4: Reinventing Cycling Spaces

This module will look at cycling infrastructure, or: how are we reinventing the spaces where cycling occurs in our cities? You will reflect on what "ideal" cycling infrastructure is and recognize that different types of users, with different needs, share our cycle paths and streets. We will zoom in to the concept of cycling highways - a contested phenomenon- from the perspective of practitioners. We will hear about how smart innovations may influence how different kinds of future cycling spaces function from infrastructure company BAM. Finally, we will focus on how cycling practitioners work, exploring an agile way of working in the context of Amsterdam.

Week 5: Cycling Futures for All?

This module is about the social context of cycling. Who cycles now, and who will in the future? Is cycling less accessible for some than for others? We will hit the tip of the iceberg on what can be done to make cycling more accessible for all. You will see how certain social groups can be excluded or negatively impacted by cycling policies or infrastructure projects, and you will see how this issue is often context dependent. We also ask you to bring your own perspective on this complex issue, and learn from your peers.

Week 6: Final Assignment

In this final module, you will go through an exercise in which you imagine diverging cycling futures yourself. You will then read about the positive imagined utopian futures of your peers. To wrap up the course, you will write an essay that reflects on the limits of our society's collective mobility imagination and how to overcome them.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Helps students build foundational knowledge of cycling in urban transportation systems

Examines how innovation and technology can improve the cycling experience in cities

Develops insights into the role of cycling in sustainable and inclusive mobility

Provides perspectives on the social, economic, and environmental aspects of cycling

Empowers students to critically evaluate cycling futures and innovation in their own contexts

Involves interactions with practitioners and industry experts

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Being Smart about Cycling Futures with these activities:

Attend a webinar on cycling infrastructure

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Provides insights into best practices and emerging trends in cycling infrastructure.

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Search for upcoming webinars on cycling infrastructure from reputable organizations.
Select a webinar that aligns with your interests and schedule.
Attend the webinar and take notes on key takeaways.

Engage in discussions on the course forum

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Fosters critical thinking and deepens understanding through peer interaction.

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Read through the discussion prompts and contribute your thoughts.
Respond to the posts of your peers, offering feedback and alternative perspectives.
Ask clarifying questions to enhance your comprehension of the course material.

Volunteer at a local cycling organization

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Provides practical experience, connects students with the cycling community, and fosters civic engagement.

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Identify local cycling organizations that offer volunteer opportunities.
Contact the organizations and inquire about available volunteer positions.
Commit to a regular volunteer schedule and carry out assigned tasks.

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Career center

Learners who complete Being Smart about Cycling Futures will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Cycling Advocate

Cycling Advocates promote the benefits of cycling and work to improve cycling conditions. This course provides a thorough understanding of the social and environmental impacts of cycling, which is essential for effective advocacy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cycling Advocate

Bike Infrastructure Consultant

Bike Infrastructure Consultants provide expertise on the design and implementation of cycling infrastructure. This course explores various approaches to cycling infrastructure, including bike highways and smart solutions, which will be highly valuable for Bike Infrastructure Consultants.

See salaries and explore the career path for Bike Infrastructure Consultant

Cycling Instructor

Cycling Instructors teach people how to ride bicycles. This course provides a thorough understanding of cycling techniques and safety, which is essential for Cycling Instructors.

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Bicycle Manufacturer

Bicycle Manufacturers are responsible for designing, developing, and producing bicycles. This course offers insights into the latest cycling innovations, which can inform the design and manufacturing of cutting-edge bicycles.

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Mobility Analyst

Mobility Analysts study mobility patterns and develop strategies to improve mobility systems. This course provides a comprehensive understanding of cycling's role in mobility, which is crucial for Mobility Analysts.

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Transportation Planner

Transportation Planners develop plans and policies for transportation systems. This course offers insights into the integration of cycling into transportation planning, which is essential for Transportation Planners.

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Transportation Engineer

Transportation Engineers design and manage transportation systems, including bike infrastructure, public transit, and roadways. This course provides a comprehensive understanding of the role of cycling in mobility systems, which will be crucial for Transportation Engineers.

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Urban Designer

Urban Designers shape the physical environment of cities. This course explores the role of cycling in urban design, providing Urban Designers with insights into creating cycling-friendly cities.

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Urban Planner

Urban Planners develop strategies to improve the physical environment of communities, including bike lanes, public transportation, and green spaces. This course's exploration of cycling and sustainability will provide valuable insights for Urban Planners as they plan for the future of cities.

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Urban Geographer

Urban Geographers study the physical and human characteristics of cities. This course explores the role of cycling in urban environments, providing valuable insights for Urban Geographers.

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Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for the development and management of products, including cycling products. This course's focus on cycling innovations can provide valuable insights for Product Managers in the cycling industry.

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Environmental Engineer

Environmental Engineers work to protect the environment. This course's examination of the environmental benefits of cycling can be valuable for Environmental Engineers.

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Social Impact Consultant

Social Impact Consultants advise organizations on how to create social change. This course explores the social impacts of cycling, providing insights for Social Impact Consultants working in the cycling sector.

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Public Health Official

Public Health Officials promote and protect the health of communities. This course explores the health benefits of cycling, which can be valuable for Public Health Officials working to improve community health.

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Sustainability Consultant

Sustainability Consultants provide expertise on sustainability issues to businesses and organizations. This course's examination of the environmental benefits of cycling can be valuable for Sustainability Consultants promoting cycling.

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Being Smart about Cycling Futures

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