Paulus Maringka’s Greencycle Research

Today I read Paulus Maringka’s Greencycle Masters Thesis.

Paulus undertook this research with Auckland University of Technology in 2010. I found this manuscript online and was initially drawn to read it as this bicycle-inspired community development project had a number of cross-over themes with my own current PhD research project.

This thesis was a pleasure to read. It was clearly written, on-topic and full of interesting images to help break up blocks of text.

It was great to see a new approach to many of the issues I can currently researching, like bicycle use in developing countries, local adaptations and resources, impacts of cultural needs and contexts, and how users personalise their bicycles.

Equally, reading the chapters on the technical design and development phases was also interesting as this project centres on a product creation and intervention, whereas mine does not.

Below is Maringka’s thesis’ abstract, thesis organisation and some of the key images from the thesis, which gives a solid overview of the project without having to read it in its entirety.

Download a copy of Marinkka’s (2010) Greencycle thesis here.

Greencycle Abstract

This Greencycle project applies a system approach to shift design thinking and practices away from the ongoing unsustainable use of resources towards a more sustainable framework of consumption whereby local cultures, skills, resources and technology are analyzed to inform the design and development of a human powered transportation system.

It uses a trans-disciplinary research and design approach by consulting all stakeholders; including farmers in a Third World country, industrial designers, engineers and manufacturers to provide information, understanding and insights as a basis to find solutions that have enabled this research study to produce a system called Greencycle which utilizes renewable materials and indigenous people skills to produce a bicycle that is more sustainable.

The bicycle provides more than basic transportation to go from A to B. Poor countries need and depend on this mode of transportation for a wide range of uses; thus expanding its function and uses would be of great benefit to its users.

This research study has created a series of accessories to extend a bicycle’s functionality, with the core being made from sustainable materials and local skills. For this project it would have been a simple process for the designer to come up with a concept idea(s) that was based on a personal view of what would be a suitable solution for the target user.

Instead however, the designer has used feedback from the target group participants to shape and develop the design process and to ensure the design will be acceptable for the target user to use and manufacture.

This multi-discipline approach to the design problem has revealed many opportunities that would otherwise be hidden by less detailed research and design methodology. Many academic studies stop at the point when the written thesis is complete.

This research study has included four expert interviews, eleven case studies of target users, prototype testing and field experiments with sustainable resources to gather information, understanding and insights from these stakeholders in order to propose, design and evaluate two Greencycles (using sustainable bamboo material) and a series of design accessories. This multi-discipline approach to the design problem has revealed many opportunities that would otherwise be hidden by less detailed research and design methodology. Many academic studies stop at the point when the written thesis is complete.

This research project went a step further by testing and implementing its findings on users back in its intended marketplace to ensure the design will be adopted by and be successful for people in Third World countries.

As a result of this research, there is now an opportunity to look at and create a business model that provides new income opportunities for the local people.

Feedback for the Greencycle design and its accessories has so far been very encouraging, with participants showing a significant level of enthusiasm. To take advantage of this success, a business proposition to market these sustainable products seems plausible as a first step to developing this business venture. Information posters to showcase the accessories and their functions and applications have been designed to test market demands and other important indicators for future business development and strategy.

Thesis Organisation

Chapter 1: Introduction

Introduces and scopes the areas of research and need for functional, usable and sustainable human powered machines.

Chapter 2: Literature Review

Provides critical analysis through literature review and internet ethnography to gain an understanding and knowledge of bicycle functionality and bicycle users in Third World countries. This chapter also reviews literature and provides a study background on Bicycle Ergonomics, Green Materials and Sustainability.

Chapter 3: Research Design & Research Methods

Outlines the research design and design methods approach to the design generation and development of the Greencycle and accessories.

Chapter 4: Significant Findings

Presents the significant findings and the major discoveries that formed the design criteria of the Greencycle and accessories.

Chapter 5: Design & Development Phases

Details the design phases and iterative processes in the development phases of the Greencycle and the accessories.

Chapter 6: Evaluation

Details the evaluation outcomes of an integrated approach for the concept design thinking of the Greencycle and accessories, including materials and manufacturing processes.

Chapter 6: Discussion & Conclusion

The Discussion and Conclusion provides a reflection on what has been achieved and the future of the Greencycle and the accessories.

Abstract, chapter organization & images: Paulus Maringka (2010) Greencycle .

28/11/201801/01/2019

NiAcaWriMo

Source: 15five

Many creatives use a month-long challenge to encourage productivity.

My personal favorite is still Skull-a-Day by Noah Scalin.

Last year, this blog covered the month long illustration challenge of INKtober and showcased Walt Cahill’s whimsical cycling illustrations.

Many of us would love to undertake a month-long challenge.

But work, family and hobby demands often get in the way.

Two days ago, I came across the National Novel Writing Month or NaNoWriMo.

In this event, I saw an opportunity to adopt certain principles of NaNoWriMo to use in an academic context that would not detract time and energy away from my current work/research demands – but would, in fact, be a productivity kick-starter!

What is NaNoWriMo?

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) happens every year, It is an Internet-based creative writing challenge to write a 50,000-word novel from 1^st to the 30^th of November.

The National Novel Writing Month website started this challenge in July 1999 with only 21 participants. In 2010, 200,000 people wrote 2.8 billion words and in 2015, 430,000 participants completed 50,000 manuscripts.

This is a great challenge to get inspired, build a regular writing routine, overcome writing anxiety and writer’s block, and also be part of a highly active online community.

Using NaNoWriMo for academic writing

During NaNoWriMo, it is the length of the draft, not the quality that is the main goal. Editing and polishing the document comes later.

Producing writing is a constant pressure for academics and PhD candidates.

Essentially PhDers are assessed on their writing output. PhDers are required to, at a minimum, produce an 80,000-120,000-word high-quality dissertation and at least one peer-review journal article in order to fulfil their candidature. Having additional publications, conference proceeding and other written documentation are also expected.

That is one of the reasons I started this blog – to force myself to write regularly.

I love the idea of a writing challenge. I have not been producing as much writing as I did when I first started my research and my usually productive writing routine has slipped.

Although NaNoWriMo is a novel writing challenge, I am going to use it as an opportunity to apply some of its principles to jumpstart my academic writing productivity.

Many NaNoWriMo ideas are transferable to an academic writing challenge.

So I went on an online binge to glean some of the most useful NaNoWriMo approaches.

As an R &D homage to the original NaNoWriMo, I’ve called my initial checklist (below) NiAcaWriMo – or Nina’s Academic Writing Month.

Here’s what I came up with….

NiAcaWriMo

Have all equipment and materials prepared.

This includes working tools like the keyboard, monitors, laptop/desktop, notebooks and any other paraphernalia needed. Delete Netflix or any other distractions. For me, this also meant setting up a dual monitor stand-up desk and putting my laptop in for a service and updating the operating system and all software.

Spring clean and organise your workspace.

To create productive energy and focus, declutter and spring clean your workspace. Clear out any distractions, tidy up or better yet, remove as much as you can out of your workspace to make it a lean and clean studious area. Dust off screens and keyboards, and wipe down any surfaces, IT cords and equipment as recognition that this space is open to new and fresh ideas. Commit to keeping the space clear by not allowing others to put anything in your workspace, clearing your desk at the end of each day and only keeping the basic work materials needed on your desk.

Prepare a soundtrack.

Some people listen to music while working, others prefer silence. Either way, know what kind of soundscape is most productive for you. When I work in an open office, I use ear plugs as well as high-performance ear muffs (a technique I use on public transport as well) if I want quiet and little sound. Or I use headphones with my own soundscape. I have had great success with alpha, beta and gamma binaural beats, which I used to complete a 17,000 minor thesis in four days. Another option is classical or instrumental music with no lyrics. Or have background music in a different language so your brain is not subconsciously engaged with the lyrics, but focused on your written language. For this technique, I’d recommend the French R & B duo Les Nubians album Princesses Nubiennes. Other creatives swear by having the same song on constant repeat which helps to create a consistent and familiar flow state. Find what works best for you.

Tell others about your challenge.

This means getting your significant other/s, family, work colleagues and friends on board with what you are doing. This will save a lot of misunderstanding and issues in the future and people will be a lot more understanding and supportive. If you are upfront with your purpose and time frame, then measures can be taken to organise and negate possible future complications such as invitations and drop-in visits and even further to include things such as house cleaning and grocery shopping.

Protect your focus

For one whole month, you need to make your writing challenge top priority – and this protecting your focus. This step requires you to know what you need to do your best work, what time of day you are most productive and that you put into place strategies to minimise interruptions and stay productive. This can include setting a schedule or a daily timetable. Or read some key literature that is not only inspiring, but is at a standard you wish to achieve. For academic writing, I like to have 3 journal articles that are my gold standard – two by my favourite author in my research field and another on a different topic whose style, expression and vocabulary I really enjoy reading. Another way to protect your focus might is to set your phone to silent and leave it in another room for your sessions. Or use an app to help your focus and build self-control, or a productivity app that helps avoid distractions, like Cold Turkey, which I recommend to postgrad students.

Prepare body and mind

We all know looking after the body and mind is important during intense work bursts, but the challenge is to make it a priority in order to sustain productivity. This includes eating well, being hydrated, taking regular screen breaks, doing regular exercise (until sweaty), getting adequate sleep and generally looking after your overall well-being. Build these elements into your daily schedule to ensure you protect your focus and keep yourself working at the optimal level. Have a look at A Year of Productivity for other strategies to help prepare the body and mind.

Other NiAcaWriMo considerations

Once prepared, you then need to put it all into action.

This is an area I am still refining. So below is an outline of some tactics I’ve found to be incredibly helpful in consistently producing written work.

Morning Routine: I have had great success using a priming morning routine that I have adapted and personalised over the last three years.

iThinkwell. Over the last two years, I have attended two iThinkwell workshops: Turbocharge your writing and Seven habits of highly successful research students. I still some of the strategies from these workshops. If you get to one of these sessions, get your library to order the companion books which cover the same material so you can still get ahead.

An additional bonus is that iThinkwell have a range of awesome free resources to track progress, manage time frames and organise priorities.

Prepare the next day the night before. One key technique is starting a new day fresh and proactive, is to prepare what you are going to do the next day before you leave your desk the night before. Identifying The Next Thing is a quick and easy way to get a new productive day started without wasting any valuable energy or focus on planning the day, you just get on and do it. Some writers like to leave a question as a stimulus for the next days’ writing session, or dot points that need expanding on, others leave notes to complete, or end the previous day mid-sentence so there is an idea to complete the next day and continue on.

Have a daily goal. I have a PhD friend who has a daily goal of writing 250 words a day. Another academic I know has committed one hour every day for the last five years to writing. Whether it is time, words count, tasks or any other goal, having a clear daily goal is a good way to set the intention for the day, track progress and establish milestones of achievement.

50,0000 words in a 30-day month equals 1,667 words per day.

Take each day separately. Keep in mind that progress is based on day-to-day productivity. Set-backs are inevitable. Don’t be too hard on yourself and be realistic. There will be blow-outs, mess-ups, crappy days and interruptions – this is part of life and work. If you struggle one day, reset and try again the next, but don’t try and catch-up as this adds extra stress. Take each day as a stoned alone session and accept that there will be ‘good days’ and ‘bad days’.

Know what a ‘good day’ looks like. How do you define ‘a good day’ of work? What does it look like? Is it producing a 500-word outline? Or writing 1,500 original new words? Reading a journal article? Having this clarification means that you know when you have achieved it. If this is not clear, you are at risk of ending each day feeling like you have not achieved your goal and could have done more, no matter how much your produce.

Garbage in, garbage out. Be mindful and actively manage what you allow yourself to be exposed to. This includes TV, social media, movies and the news – and also people. Remember the quality of your output is determined by the quality of the input. Read quality literature, reduce media exposure, unplug and read more engaging books.

Acknowledge milestones and reward. As you progress with writing, acknowledge micro-successes and milestones achieved. Having small rewards helps track activity, recognise breakthroughs, monitor improvements and boost motivation.

Writing is not editing. Writing and editing are two different skills, yet many people edit as they write and this can hamper progress and flow. For NaNoWriMo, participants are writing a 50,000-word draft. There is no editing at this stage and this a good idea to keep in mind. Many people get distracted while writing by fact-checking, looking up a definition, searching for a ‘better word’ or stopping to insert an accurate reference as they write. Doing these during the writing phrase inhibits ‘writing flow’ and focus. So the aim is to get ideas in writing down on without stopping to edit.

I use the write fast, edit slow – and the read a bit, write a bit, edit a bit adage to instil the distinction and importance of doing each of these tasks regularly. Another way to achieve the writer’s flow state as advocated by Blindboy is to write with fire, edit with ice.

Next steps

I only found out about NaNoWriMo this week, so it was too late to participate this year.

But it has inspired me to get organised and get back into my writing routine.

Who needs a formal date to write? A month-long writing challenge can be undertaken at any time!

Take this blog post as an example: just writing about this challenge has produced a 2048-word blog post and helped clarify my next steps and preparation for NiAcaWriMo. That in itself is already a valuable and productive writing activity.

As we come up to the end of the year, I’m gearing up for a NiAcaWriMo challenge in the new year.

And I will certainly be looking out for NaNoWriMo next November.

So if you have any kind of writing project, perhaps now it the time to get inspired and create your own month-long writing challenge to crack the whip and get those important first words onto paper.

Happy productive writing!

The content and ideas included in this post are my own with additional ideas and facts sourced from NaNoWriMo, NY Book Editors, Storyist, Writer’s Digest, Jerry Jenkins and Wikipedia.

23/11/201829/12/2018

Islamabad rides against climate change

One of the courses I teach at Griffith Uni is 1205MED Health Challenges for t he 21st century. It is a compulsory first-year undergrad course for all Health Sciences degrees. I really enjoy teaching it. The first major assessment is a research essay topic exploring the link between malaria (health) and climate change (environment). Climate change is a global issue that has serious repercussions that go far beyond health. I was delighted to see cyclists the world around rallying to raise awareness about climate change. This particular protest caught my attention because Pakistani cyclists are not often featured in international news – so it was great to see them out in force and mobilizing against climate change. NG.

Climate Diplomacy Day

Climate Diplomacy Day (CDD) is an annual date that is used to highlight climate change issues and action. Every year, countries host conferences, community events, debates, exhibitions, films and social media activities to encourage informed discussion and work towards more decisive joint responses to the climate challenge.

Collectively, these events hope to build on work strated by the December 2015 Paris Agreement, which was the first-ever universal, legally binding global climate.

This year, Islamabad set the bar high for Climate Diplomacy Day.

Pakistan is not the first country that usually comes to mind when we think of climate change action.

Even so, considering that Pakistan is predicted to be one of the most vulnerable nations to be impacted by climate change (despite the country’s low level of its global carbon emissions), it is understandable that CDD would make the news.

Islamabad rides against climate change

Islamabad celebrated CDD with three key events; a massive public bike protest, a documentary screening and an art competition.

This aim of this years’ event program was to encourage communities to take back the decision making control about climate policy out of bureaucracy hands and back give it back to the community.

The bike protest had a massive turn out. The protest saw riders taking over the streets of Islamabad as a way to highlight rampant greenhouse emissions by promoting bikes as a more eco-friendlier mode of transportation.

The ride was held in conjunction with the EU and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Pakistan.

The ride was followed by a public screening of a documentary called Thank You For The Rain, which follows the damage climate change has had on a Kenyan farmer, his family and his village.

There was also a local exhibition called the Climate Diplomacy Art Competition, which showcased local students’ climate change inspirited art. The theme for the art competition was Challenges of Climate Change – Pakistan’s Youth on the Front Line.

Events like Islamabad’s CDD are very important in helping raise awareness for climate action.

It is also a sobering reminder that no matter where you are – in Pakistan, Australia or anywhere else in the world – we are all united by this common issue.

I find it reassuring there are so many people who are equally passionate about the environment, cycling and who want more positive environmental and community change.

Ride on brothers and sisters!

19/11/201828/11/2018

Nao’s Reflections on bicycles, Brisbane and networking

This touching guest post comes from Bicycle Create Change’s Research Assistant Nao Kamakura. Nao has recently completed her residency with BBC and is currently traveling Australia, then home to Japan. Here, Nao reflects on her time as a new international student in Brisbane and how hard it was to meet locals. Nao found a commonality with others when riding her bike and this post recounts some of the memorable times she had – thanks to her bike. We can all relate to moments in this post. Thanks for sharing Nao – happy travels and enjoy your rides! NG.

Nao's Reflections on bicycles, aBrisbane and networking. Bicycles Create Change.com. 19th Nov, 2018. — Nao on a bike ride in Brisbane. August, 2018.

Nao’s Reflections on bicycles, Brisbane and networking

Today, I would like to write about my bicycle experience in Brisbane.

Ever since I first came to Brisbane, I have always looked for authentic opportunities to meet new people, make some local friends and build my network. This is because I came to Brisbane alone and didn’t know anyone.

Bicycles helped me communicate with new people

When I first started as Nina’s researcher, I went to a networking event held in the city. Of course, I didn’t know anyone.

Some people are very good at communicating with new people, but unfortunately, I am not that kind of person.

My mind was always fighting – I want to go to this event, but I really don’t want to go!! In addition, I was still worried about my English speaking skill.

So I was a bit nervous.

In my mind, I felt a little bit of panic, things like “With whom should I talk to first?” or “What should I talk about?”.

Then, one person came late and he said “Sorry I’m late and sweaty – it’s because I came by bicycle”

Chaaaance.

I told him that I was a research assistant for a Griffith academic and I was investigating mountain biking.

That was how I could start a conversation with him – about bicycles. It was as easy as that.

Coincidently, he had just finished his PhD at the same University and he told me all about his research. This kind of communication was very interesting for me. But it was only made possible because of bicycles.

This small bicycle conversation led me to build an interesting network.

Evenso, at this early stage, I still didn’t have a special interest in bicycles – yet.

Nao's Reflections on bicycles, Brisbane and networking. Bicycles Create Change.com. 19th Nov, 2018. — Image: Freepic

In the workplace – ‘the bicycle girl’

A few weeks later, I bought a bicycle.

To finish my studies, I had to do a workplace intership. I wanted to use the bike to get to there because my student concession travel card had expired. Basically, I just wanted to save money.

It was 6km from my home to the company. The road included some slopes and hills, so it was not easy for me to ride the bike for the first few weeks.

At work, people noticed that I rode there and home each day.

Work colleagues started to talk to me about bicycles and riding.

I was surprised.

I wouldn’t have known what to talk about with these same colleagues if I didn’t have my bicycle. But now, people were starting a conversation with me and they wanted to keep talking about it!

Everyone recognised me as ‘the bicycle girl’.

This meant I had many conversations and met even more new people.

One time, a colleague invited me to join a bicycle event with her – and she also asked me to go to Fraser Island with her!

What a miracle! Lucky me!

Riding a bicycle helped my communication and confidence in this new work environment. It was a very special opportunity that I would not have experinced without a bike.

Out and about

As for getting used to riding a bicycle, I started to use my bike as ‘recreational equipment’.

I often went to the farmer’s markets near the city on my bike.

Cycling became my new hobby in Brisbane.

On the way to go to markets, I could see that Brisbane’s scenery is very, very beautiful.

Just riding along the riverside made me happy.

It was during this time that I realised the full attractiveness of bicycles.

This is just my personal opinion, but I REALLY love riding bikes now.

It puts me into a positive mindset.

When I sold my bicycle (because I had to move out), I was extremely sad….without my bicycle I felt naked!

This website’s title is ‘Bicycle Creates Change’ That is very true.

‘Change’ depends on the person. My bicycle helped me to communicate with people and that was a big change for me 🙂

Nao Kamakura

14/11/201801/01/2019

Bicycle Mandalas

In keeping with the spirit of my recent Vipassana experience, this post introduces the wonderful world of bicycle mandalas. Enjoy! NG.

Mandalas are beautiful Buddhist spiritual representations of the metaphysical universe.

At their core, mandalas are meditation aids.

The most famous mandalas would have to be the large-scale Tibetan Buddhist sand mandalas. These intricate and complex mandalas take a team of monks days, or weeks, or more, to create and require constant concentration and care to complete.

Once finished, the mandala is swept away as a reminder of impermanence.

Bicycle Mandalas

There are many different types of bicycle art and crafts.

But in order to be a mandala, it needs to include some specific design features.

Mandalas have a balanced, repeated geometric design, a consistent colour palette and traditionally include a radial composition.

For many, circular bicycle wheels provide the perfect mandala frame. This is why they are so often in bike art when creating mandalas, dream catchers and other decorations.

The material and techniques used in these mandalas can vary. 2D mandalas use either hand-drawn or computer-assisted graphics, saving time, money and materials, but this approach often requires a certain amount of artistic or technical proficiency.

For 3D mandalas, fabric, cloth and textiles are big favourites, as are glass and mixed- media for the more adventurous.

Colours and designs vary widely and are only limited by the creators imagination, bravery and skill.

Remy Jouve’s bicycle tyre mandala

I got interested in bicycle mandalas after seeing Rémy Jouve’s amazing hand carved bicycle tyre mandala (below) which was sent to me by Claire Tracey.

Skill, patience, thoughtfulness and a whole lotta love!

Epic.

Other Bicycle Mandalas

Then I found a whole heap of them!

Here is a sample of the various hand-make bicycle mandalas.

Watercolour.

Ink Drawing.

Knitted/Macrame (there are heaps of these online).

And a few mixed media.

And some digitally assisted bicycle mandalas.

Regardless of the material or medium used, bicycle mandalas are unique, creative, quirky and fun.

They are a great way cyclists can support artists as well as showing their love for all things two-wheeled.

Keep your eyes open for your favourite bicycle mandala.

Or even better, have a go at making your own!

Happy ridding and mandala-making!

09/11/201821/11/2018

Vipassana

I’ve just returned from my first 10-day silent Vipassana meditation course.

Lots of people have heard of Vipassana meditation. Some of you may have already done a course ( … or two… or more). If you haven’t heard of Vipassana, ask your friends about it – you will hear some VERY interesting stories.

I’ve been struggling to write this post.

I am not yet ready to share the ins-and-outs of what happened. Besides, there is no point reinventing the wheel – there is some much Viapassna info already widely and readily available on YouTube (full of advice and recounts) and online.

If you want more details on what the course is, my recommended two best personal Vipassana recounts are:

If you are a cyclist – check out what cycling-around-the-world The Wandering Nomads had to say about their 10-Day Vipassana Experience. Complete with beautiful photos.
Also, Torre DeRoche from The Fearful Adventurer retells her Vipassana experience. Very engaging and captures the struggles really well.

You kinda have to do it yourself.

If you get the chance, be brave and give it a go.

So, without getting stuck on the nitty-gritty details of my experience, here’s a brief Vipassana snapshot.

What is Vipassana?

Understanding Vipassana is not difficult. It is the consistent practice that is the hard part. Overall, there are three central pillars: Sila (morality), Samadhi (control of the mind) and Panna (wisdom).

Find out more about Vipassana here.

Vipassana means “to see things as they really are”.

The course is based on the teachings of Buddha but is linked to not Buddhism or any other religion. It is universal teaching, not secular. And it is not a cult.

The course requires students to live-in for 10 days and adhere to a monastic code of conduct, which includes (among others) avoiding all the following: speaking, eye contact, gesturing, touching, technology/mobile phone, reading, writing, exercise and the genders are segregated

Epic.

So what was it like?

It was a rollercoaster ride. Many ups. Many downs.

There were 26 women on my course, 4 left.

The timetable is intense. The commitment is intense. The location is beautiful.

I LOVED noble silence. I LOVED the early starts.

It was physically and mentally very challenging.

I learnt a lot about trust, compassion and letting go.

I learnt to notice and accept change (Annicca).

The stunning food and nightly discourses were daily highlights.

During the course, my awareness sharpened, I managed to slow down the noise in my head, and had the time to really focus being in the present moment.

Other thoughts…

Vipassana helps people (re)connect with the body by observing the interactions between the mental (mind/thinking) and the material (body/sensations).

The Vipassana technique is immediately useful and transferable to all other aspects of life (not just meditation), especially in the case of managing emotions such as fear, attachment, desire and pain.

The benefits of Vipassana are not only personal. As a bike rider, I have been applying it to my bike riding and there is a significant change in my approach to MTBing.

When I got back home from my course, I did what any normal contemporary bike-riding Vipassana student would have done: I made love with my husband, ate a gorgeous lunch, went for a mountain-bike ride, then meditated. Priorities.

Goenka was right. I am more content and happy.

I am still meditating every day.

05/11/201814/11/2018

Please Hold

Hi Bike Nuts!

Thanks for dropping in to see what’s new.

I am currently away on a Vipassana silent meditation retreat – so no communication, media or internet.

Recharge time.

Next post will be uploaded when I get back.

I hope to see you then.

Happy riding!

31/10/201814/11/2018

Happy 3 year Blog Anniversary!

I can’t believe this blog is 3 years old!

Wow!

A big thank you to all the regular and new readers of this blog.

It has been such a learning and working adventure – and sharing it with other like minded-people has been an absolute pleasure. Thank you all!!

Origins

I started this blog when I was considering applying for my PhD. I am now 2.5 years into my PhD and loving it. My PhD explores NGOs that donate bicycles to rural African girls for greater access to secondary school. So the blog is a wonderful adjunct outlet to actively stay involved in the cycling community and share some of the interesting people, events and research I discover along the way.

I began the blog because I knew I would have to research, read and write a lot and initially I was a little apprehensive about this. Bicycles Create Change was a way to face these demons by writing regularly and making it public. It was also a way to track what I uncovered and to ensure I didn’t ‘read myself away from my friends’ or go so far down the academic writing rabbit hole that I became entrained in only that style of writing.

I also wanted to stay true to the passion and issues of cycling communities near and far – and to keep my feet on the ground by supporting and celebrating the more personal and communal aspects of biking.

BCC focus

There are many great websites on cycling and biking culture on the net. The difference between this blog and most others is that this is very grassroots. It doesn’t focus on road riding, is a mixture of research and practice, and is not in anyway monetized with any ads, merchandise or sponsorship.

Over the years this blog has explored cycling and biking from a number of different perspectives, such as:

dogs and bikes
bike tattoos
returned veterans
environmental sustainability
elders
refugees
rider health and disability
bicycle modification
kids and family
transport, mobility and access
gender and social justice
books, libraries and literacy
education
biketivism
art/creativity/crafts
rural access
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
glocal rides and events
disadvantaged groups
equality/equity
street art and performance
local commemorative rides
fun biking festivals and events

BBC has also proudly hosted a range of guest bloggers, both locally and internationally, who have shared their unique insights on an array of issues including – thank you to all the contributors.

Over the years, BCC has collaborated and worked with some amazing young people, like Bella Turner, Nao Nakamura, Claire Tracey, Sarah Cole, Uncle Richard and the BCC interns; Sachie, Maurice, Gabriel and Juliet.

So where is BCC at now?

This blog has gone from strength to strength.

Below are the most recent stats for BCC. Here are the daily and month totals for the last year. Hits are how many clicks visitors make on the site and visits are how many people visit the site.

Total visits to date 142, 818 with a daily average for this month of 514!

Here is a breakdown of the gender and age of BCC readers.

And the distribution of BCC readers around the world.

Below is the time of day users access the blog. Darker blue indicates more visitors. As BCC has so many overseas readers in different time zones, it makes sense that the site is active from 12 am – 6 am.

Epic!

I am very excited about what the next year may hold and am keen to see what ideas, projects and connections unfold.

So as Bicycles Create Change moves into its 4th year – a massive thank you to all the readers and friends for your time, contributions, ideas and support.

Thank you!

Ride on!

27/10/201808/03/2019

Chicks in the Sticks 2018

Last weekend was the 2018 Chicks in the Sticks 3 hr Enduro event.

Chicks in the Sticks (CITS) is Queensland’s premier all-women’s MTB event. It has been running now for 4 years and registrations have been gaining steadily. This year there were 233 entrants.

I won’t rehash here the finer details of the event as you can check out at this post on the CITS 2016 which I rode as a team event or this one from the 2017 event.

CITS is all-inclusive race experience catering for both elite riders and those new to MTB and there is a strong emphasis on fun, community and giving riding a go.

The original date set in late August at the Karingal site was cancelled due to thunderstorms.

As luck would have it, the rain cleared on Sunday and a beautiful steamy and sunny day burst forth for our race day at Scribbly Gums Conservation Park.

How was the event?

I got there early and set up a little area for my gear and bags. The junior race started soon after and it was inspiring to see the under-10 girls giving it their all.

I got my race plate, chatted to a few people I knew and visited a few of the stalls. After getting a sense of where the senior race track was, I moved my gear to a position that was quick and easy to have a pit shop to replenish supplies during the race.

Unlike previous years, this time I was riding the full 3-hour solo. As the morning got more humid and hot, I could see that this change in weather was going to be a factor during the race and I was glad I gave some good thought to my water and race supplies.

My approach was to ride steady and see how I felt. It’s been 2 years since I’ve officially raced – and I was at CITS to support the event, not to ride hard and total myself. There were some elite racers out to smash it and many were there to give it a go and a surprising number of seniors were doing their first ever race.

I was not in costume, just comfortable MTB gear – a decision I was very grateful for later when the sun was blaring down and I saw many people in costumes suffering more so. I could see the heat taking a toll on the less experienced riders. By lap 3 (2 hours in) the field had spread out considerably, with quite a few calling it quits early due to the heat.

I rode with a few people who were struggling on the uphill fire trail – just chatting and encouraging. One lady had not eaten, so I gave her some of my food and keep her company up the hill. It reminded me how hard it was when I first started riding and how much I valued the insights and advice of my more experienced MTB mates. Their input saved me a lot of needless suffering – for which I am eternally thankful.

What else happened?

Interestingly, I was the only singlespeed riding- and the trails were perfect for it. Really, there was bugger all elevation, but lots of windy single track. The consistently tight turns and gravel spread the field right out. Confident cornering technique played a massive role in conserving energy and holding speed. Perfect conditions!

I chugged along at my own speed and chatted to a few other riders. My goal was to keep my head positive and enjoy the day – everything else was a bonus. So without any race expectations, it meant I could relax and enjoy the ride.

I found my groove after lap two and was feeling surprisingly comfortable. I ended up doing 5 laps 9kms laps in total without destroying myself in the heat and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride.

It was good to be part of this event. It was lovely to see how hard people were working and how different people deal with their individual race day challenges.

I had a great time riding and was glad I pushed myself to ride further than I have previously without destroying myself. It was a great day for a ride and the event was super fun. I will definitely be back next year! See you there!

Congrats to the organisers!

Kudos to the organisers and all the wonderful people that helped make this such a fabulous event like the participants, the RATS Cycling Club, volunteers and heaps of partners/family/friends.

The Chicks in the Sticks committee did a great job. A big congratulations to Barbra Neal, Lisa Toia, Amanda Harrison, Seb Mitaros and Christine McKay for all their hard work behind the scenes.

Congrats to all the riders – especially those who were riding for the first time.

Race Day results are available here.

More info about this event can be found on the CITS Facebook page and event pics at Element Photo and Video Productions.

23/10/201814/11/2018

Mexico City: First Latin-American Bike Mayor

As regular readers of this blog know, I post a little about teaching and my PhD progress, but mainly, this blog shares ideas, events and research where bicycles are creating positive community change. The story below from Mexico City (first published by Citylab Latino, then translated into English by Andrea Penman-Lomeli for Citylab) definitely fits the bill. It is exciting to see strong advocacy and support for cycling in the more challenging-to-ride urban cities. Earlier this year I posted on the difficulties of riding in Kampala, Uganda. Now, Mexico City has been making news by progressing cycling in Latin America with their first ever Bicycle Mayor. Bicicletas de larga duración!!

Cycling Mexico City: Background

Mexico City falls far short of the cycling infrastructure that bike activists dream of: as many residents say, it’s no Amsterdam. Although only 30 percent of daily trips in the city are made via private car (the other 70 percent are made by public transportation, by bike, or on foot), Mexico City is known for some of the worst traffic in the world and nearly toxic levels of pollution. Since 2006, there have been over 1,600 cyclist deaths.

Because of these deterrents, cycling activism has been two-fold, lobbying city authorities to integrate cycling infrastructure into the urban plan and promoting a cycling culture among city residents.

In the last decade, cycling has become especially relevant to the city’s agenda. In 2007 the city launched Muévete en Bici, a program that blocks cars from several main streets on Sundays so that cyclists can have the streets to themselves. In 2010, Mexico City implemented a bike share program, EcoBici, the first in Latin America.

Current cycling context in Mexico City

So far, the city’s only got 140 kilometers of the 600 kilometers of bike lanes that bike activists estimate it needs, but when EcoBici started, the city was virtually devoid of biking infrastructure. Ecobici now has around 6,500 bikes and over 240,000 registered users (which, they argue, is the largest in North America).

In July 2014, a new mobility law placed cyclists and pedestrians at the top of a mobility hierarchy and introduced cycling language into urban plans for the first time. However, beyond moving into the next phases of EcoBici and implementing sorely needed safety measures, the plans were vague—plus, critics challenge the special hierarchy, noting that if cyclists were truly at the top, government infrastructure spending would reflect that.

The first Latin-American Bike Mayor

Mexico City has a long way to go before it’s truly bike-friendly, but now, the city has a bike mayor—the first in all of Latin America. During the 2017 Sixth Annual World Bicycle Forum, the activist Areli Carreón was elected to the post by forum attendees in an online election. In addition to promoting cycling, she will act as an intermediary between cyclists, community groups, Mexico City’s government, and the bike mayors from Amsterdam and Sydney.

The position doesn’t confer any formal power, but it doesn’t mean that Carreón won’t be able to make an impact.

“Mexico City is a city that has already incorporated cycling in many ways,” she says. “It has completely transformed the face of the city, the urban logic of the city center.” However, twenty years ago, when she started as a cycling activist, she saw a very different culture. “People used to make fun of us,” says Carreón. “They’d say, ‘why do you want to ride on the street? Why don’t you ride around the park?’”

Since its founding in 1998, Carreón’s organization, Bicitekas A.C., has promoted cycling through community rides and by lobbying for public policies. Their campaigns seek to raise awareness of cycling and the environment. According to Carreón, Biciteka “is the oldest organization that has lobbied for cycling in Mexico City.”

From blockades and protests to speeches and reports, Carreón has attempted to influence public opinion and city leadership in every way possible, including the production of the Urban Cyclist Manuel, the first comprehensive guide for cyclists in the city, and the first of its kind in Latin America. “We did workshops, led courses, put on parties, created art pieces and videos for museums. We have 20 years of innovation under our belts. We’ve tried by all possible means to convince, encourage, and promote this idea that we must move by different means,” she says. “But it took 20 years for city authorities to look at cycling as more than just a pastime.”

Source: Ronaldo Schemidt:AFP: Getty Images

What is a ‘bike mayor’?

The concept of the bicycle mayor began in 2016 with a proposal from the Dutch nonprofit CycleSpace to create a global network of activists that could promote cycling at the international level. In an online election in June, 2016, Anna Luten was chosen as Amsterdam’s first bicycle mayor. But, some asked, did a city already well-known for being bike-friendly really need another promoter?

At the opposite end is Mexico City. Although it has achieved a “radical” change in culture, according to Carreón, and many infrastructural changes for its cyclists, extreme pollution and congestion are hurdles to it becoming a truly bike-friendly city.

Looking forward

As she settles into her position, Carreón hopes to facilitate broad participation in urban planning. Beyond seeing an increasing in bike lanes and safety precautions for cyclists, she also wants to invite community members to share their visions.

As her role continues to take shape, two other bike mayors—Amsterdam’s Anna Luten and Sydney’s Sarah H. Imm—will meet with Carreón.

Although it remains to be seen what authority the bicycle mayor position will afford her, Carreón will likely continue to do the work she’s spent her entire life doing. “Biking has transformed the city into a laboratory of possibilities. It’s awakened our collective imagination and made us assert our needs as members of a society,” she says. “Exactly what this can lead to, I’m not sure. But it’s exciting.”

Greencycle Abstract

Thesis Organisation

Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 2: Literature Review

Chapter 3: Research Design & Research Methods

Chapter 4: Significant Findings

Chapter 5: Design & Development Phases

Chapter 6: Evaluation

Chapter 6: Discussion & Conclusion

What is NaNoWriMo?

Using NaNoWriMo for academic writing

NiAcaWriMo

Have all equipment and materials prepared.

Spring clean and organise your workspace.

Prepare a soundtrack.

Tell others about your challenge.

Protect your focus

Prepare body and mind

Other NiAcaWriMo considerations

Next steps

Climate Diplomacy Day

Islamabad rides against climate change

Nao’s Reflections on bicycles, Brisbane and networking

Bicycles helped me communicate with new people

In the workplace – ‘the bicycle girl’

Out and about

Bicycle Mandalas

Remy Jouve’s bicycle tyre mandala

Other Bicycle Mandalas

What is Vipassana?

So what was it like?

Other thoughts…

Happy 3 year Blog Anniversary!

Origins

BCC focus

So where is BCC at now?

Chicks in the Sticks 2018

How was the event?

What else happened?

Congrats to the organisers!

Cycling Mexico City: Background

Current cycling context in Mexico City

The first Latin-American Bike Mayor

What are key bike points for Bike Mayor Areli Carreón?

What is a ‘bike mayor’?

Looking forward