Linguistic challenges and societal narratives should be considered in shaping barriers and resistance to change. Language not only reflects reality but actively shapes it, influencing our perceptions, actions, and shared futures. As Te Brömmelstroet et al. (2020) emphasize, “Language is not a neutral mirror of reality, but has a profound impact on what we see, what we do not see and how we act and shape our future together.” Common statements such as "We are not Amsterdam," "Our city is too hilly for cycling," or "Cycling in polluted air is harmful" are pervasive in car-centric cities and perpetuate resistance to developing cycling. These linguistic constructs influence how communities perceive cities, streets, and mobility systems, dictating their use, planning, and governance.
This workshop will explore and challenge these entrenched narratives by leveraging lived experiences and research findings. In the first phase, the session will uncover and critically examine linguistic barriers to urban cycling development, with a specific focus on Tehran. These statements will be analyzed as key obstacles to change.
The second phase will involve an interactive workshop where participants will collaboratively construct alternative, transformative statements. The aim is to create counter-narratives that dismantle barriers to change and instead drive a discourse of transformative change. For instance, rather than accepting the statement, "Tehran's slopes are unsuitable for cycling," participants may co-create alternatives such as, "Because of the steep terrain in Tehran, we should prioritize gear and electric shared bicycles in those areas."
The ultimate goal is to empower participants to reframe existing narratives and foster a collective understanding of the power of language in shaping and changing urban mobility to facilitate transformative change. The outcomes of this workshop, including collaboratively developed counter-narratives, could culminate in a manifesto by the UCI. This manifesto would serve as a guide for promoting alternative narratives in diverse contexts, inspiring cities to embrace cycling-friendly futures.

Te Brömmelstroet, M. (2020) Mobility Language Matters. De Correspondent, Amsterdam.