Understanding the Mechanisms of Change in Cycling Governance - A Case Study of City Thread's Work
Planning for sustainable mobility transitions requires the involvement of a diverse range of stakeholders. The coordination of different stakeholders and levels of decision making is challenging. Identifying those challenges and probing their causes is at the core of this research. In 2024, City Thread, a US-based nonprofit organization, set out to understand urban-rural governance dynamics underlying cycling planning in the US by unraveling the processes shaping local capacity related to cycling. The learnings of this research can help overcome governance challenges to improve and accelerate cycling planning.
A relational capacity concept was applied to gain a deeper understanding of the overarching cycling governance structures. The local capacity model used by Alm and Koglin (2022) was transferred to the US-American context by conducting a comparative case study between Bentonville (AR) and Petaluma (CA). The research employed a mixed methods approach, utilizing a combination of both primary and secondary data analysis and collection. This included a policy analysis, online interviews, focus groups, and a field visit to Bentonville.
Key outcomes indicate that local capacity for cycling is influenced by a multitude of factors including funding sources, interdepartmental partnerships, and the commitment and motivation of local politicians and other stakeholders. In facilitating the transition from recreational cycling to transportation cycling as the primary focus, gaining local political support and shifting away from ingrained car norms is crucial. In order to build capacity, institutional learning is necessary. Data also indicate that involving civic leaders into local politics and decision making processes is essential in facilitating this transition. Finally, the research concludes that City Thread has positively impacted local capacity by improving collaboration across stakeholders, empowering civic leaders, and facilitating access to local politics.
