Citation

Knuts S, Delheye P. Int. J. Hist. Sport 2012; 29(14): 1942-1962.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/09523367.2012.696346

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Existing research on nineteenth-century cycling focuses more on its role in shaping modern tourism than on its urban origins. In this paper, in contrast, we analyse the emergence of cycling in four of Belgium's leading industrial and commercial cities: Brussels, Antwerp, Liege and Ghent. From the 1860s onwards, a 'golden age' of urban planning created new sites of bourgeois power and display in these urban centres. Simultaneously, the new, adventurous sport of cycling was picked up by the younger members of this bourgeoisie. Their increasing presence in the newly constructed urban streets and parks, however, was fraught with conflict. Dealing with a negative public image, problematic interactions with other road users and limiting traffic regulations, cyclists constantly had to legitimise their urban presence. Especially in the 1890s, cycling clubs and umbrella associations attempted to discipline cyclists and to foster the image of urban cycling as an orderly, socially respectable form of leisure. This, together with cycling's growing popularity and increasing leverage with city councils over questions of road maintenance and traffic regulation, resulted in cyclists becoming more influential in (re) shaping urban space. Starting in 1895, however, the automobile started taking the bicycle's place as a new, dominant form of urban mobility.

Language: en