The Problem Managing Bicycling Mobility in Latin American Cities: Ciclovias Recreativas Programs as Political Technologies Governance

Abstract

This theoretical essay aims at presenting the problem of managing bicycling mobility in latin-american cities through political technologies for planning Ciclovías Recreativas programs. According Estrada et al. (2009), Ciclovías Recreativas consist of events that temporarily open public roads for physical activities, restricting access to motorized vehicles. They generally take place on Sundays and holidays, lasting an average of six hours, and have varying names depending on the country. Despite the management efforts of the Latin American region's main metropolitan areas expanding accessibility for bicyclists through the implementation of bicycling infrastructure, Ciclovías Recreativas simultaneously promote, within a specific timeframe, the playful experimentation of bicycling mobility. These events, by modifying the dynamics of public roads, have the capacity to include the entire population in participation; however, it seems strategic to investigate how these programs can enhance mobility practices that foster a bicycling culture. The text is organized into four parts: 1) Researcher's perspective: an exposition of the research trajectory situating problematic field; 2) Urban mobility, cycle activism, and the use of bicycles on public roads: this section seeks to specify the path of research on public policies for active bicycle mobility; 3) Political technologies and agency: theoretical framework of the Human Sciences for the analytical interpretation; 4) Recreational Ciclovías Recreativas in the Latin American context. Given the asymmetrical political relations spheres power between cyclists and drivers motorized vehicles, the justification research lies problematizing scope of government technologies that expand conditions possibility agencyment bicycling use in Latin American cities.