A stronger emphasis on cycling in transportation planning holds the potential to transform both planning culture and society. As such, cycling advocacy – across various forms and by diverse stakeholders – plays a critical role. However, often overlooked are direct action and bottom-up initiatives driven by civic society, which remain underexplored in research. Understanding these direct actions is vital, as it sheds light on their relevance to cycling advocacy and contributes to broader sustainability transitions.
To gain this understanding, it is important to explore both internal and external factors. Internally, motivations may include frustration with the perceived inefficiency or inadequacy of representative democratic processes, the need to express dissatisfaction with the current system, or the desire to promote visionary future scenarios. Externally, these actions are often triggered by specific events or cases in the lived experiences of cyclists, with movements gaining or losing momentum in response to shifting social dynamics.
This study examines the "Critical Mass" movement, a decentralized gathering of cyclists who take to the streets in large groups to assert cyclists' rights and challenge urban mobility planning. By focusing on Finland, particularly Helsinki, we conducted qualitative research through document analysis and interviews with key figures involved in the movement. The study identifies both driving and inhibiting factors, offering insights into the emergence and decline of movement momentum.
In this presentation, we will highlight the potential of grassroots activism for cycling advocacy, emphasizing its potential to influence societal attitudes and reshape planning discourse.