Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/being-smart-about-cycling-futures
The course ‘Being Smart about Cycling Futures’ on Coursera offers a compelling dive into the evolving landscape of urban mobility and cycling’s role within it. Designed for those interested in sustainable transportation, urban planning, or simply cycling enthusiasts, this course challenges participants to think critically about the multiple, contested visions of cycling’s future in our cities.
Throughout the six-week journey, learners explore a variety of themes, starting with the diversity of cycling futures envisioned through velotopias — idealized visions where cycling is central to urban life — and the innovation landscapes shaping these visions. The course emphasizes that there are no one-size-fits-all solutions but encourages individuals to develop their own perspectives.
In subsequent modules, the course examines how cycling integrates within broader mobility systems, including innovations like bike-train systems exemplified by the Netherlands. It also delves into technological reinventions of the bicycle, from smart accessories to e-bikes, highlighting how context influences innovation and future possibilities.
Further, the course tackles the design of cycling infrastructure, exploring ideal spaces and contentious topics like cycling highways. It emphasizes participating in the conversation about how infrastructure can better serve diverse user groups and how smart innovations can shape the future of cycling spaces.
Equally important is the social dimension: understanding who currently cycles, who is excluded, and what policies and infrastructure can do to make cycling more accessible and inclusive. This module encourages personal reflections and peer learning to deepen insights into social equity in urban cycling.
The course culminates with a creative final assignment where participants envision and compare different cycling futures, culminating in a reflective essay on society’s collective imagination of mobility.
I highly recommend ‘Being Smart about Cycling Futures’ for urban planners, advocates, students, or anyone passionate about sustainable cities. It offers rich insights, a variety of perspectives, and practical understanding that can inspire innovative thinking in urban mobility development.
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/being-smart-about-cycling-futures