A City of Heathy Mobility. Mixed method case study on development of sustainable bicycle mobility in Warsaw.

Sammanfattning: The uncontrolled development of automotive transportation worldwide raised the urgency to promote sustainable transportation among European cities, whereas bicycle as the most sustainable alternative to cars has become a symbol of urban sustainability. The popularization of cycling trips is conducive to reducing congestion, noise, and pollution in cities. It also serves to promote a healthy lifestyle. In Warsaw, sustainable transportation development is a priority for over twenty years, but cycling modal share is still on the lowest level comparing with other modes of transportation. Thus, this mixed method study investigates what influences the motivations of Warsaw inhabitants to cycle in relation to the three theoretical hypotheses based on Bourdieu’s concept of habitus, social identity theory and opportunity structures to facilitate understanding of the behavioral patterns prevailing among Warsaw society. The data was collected through one hundred face-to-face surveys and three interviews with key informants, including one governmental representative and two non-governmental representatives. The analysis presents how socialization processes, social affiliation and infrastructural opportunities influence decisions to cycle. The findings of the study indicate that promoting the bicycle as an everyday mode of transportation is a complex challenge that includes various, interrelated thematic areas of culture, policy, opportunity and social identity.