In this article, Kevin Long (Cork Cycling Campaign) and Ruth Oldenziel (Professor TU Eindhoven, Editor in Chief Technology and Culture) describe the research conducted to date in prising open the social history of cycling in Cork. They link this research to the Cycling Cities Project for which funding is sought so as to bring a comprehensive study of Cork’s cycling culture to fruition in the form of a bespoke publication.
1. Originality / Innovativeness of the Research for Relevant Stakeholders
Until now, there has never been a dedicated initiative to explore the history of cycling in Cork, or indeed in any Irish city, as a part of everyday life. This has been particularly important for the Cork Cycling Campaign as a volunteer-based and community-oriented group. Through this project, we have been able to rediscover and reframe many forgotten aspects of utility cycling, which had largely faded from public memory over the years. This original focus on the social history of cycling has opened doors for future community-based cycling projects, and has allowed us to see the city’s potential for cycling-based sustainable mobility from a fresh historical perspective.
2. Efforts Made to Disseminate the Research Widely and Make It Applicable
Cork Cycling Campaign has taken significant strides to disseminate the knowledge gained from this research. A mobile photo exhibition, accompanied by a detailed talk, has served as the core of our outreach efforts. We have delivered this presentation at numerous public events, such as Cork Heritage Week, Cork Bike Week, and the UCC Socio-Cycling Symposium [See Irish Cycling Campaign’s report on that event here]. Additionally, local media—including newspapers and magazines—have profiled our work, helping to expand the reach of the project. A noteworthy mention in a European Cyclists’ Federation magazine and website (see here) last year has further highlighted the international interest in this initiative.
Lavitts Quay in the 1930s – Photo courtesy of Amy Ramsden
3. Relevance of the Research for Society
The project has been transformative for the campaign by offering invaluable insights into the historical and future potential of cycling in Cork. The research has resonated with a broad and diverse audience. We have received support from various stakeholders, including Cork City Library staff, Cork City & County Archives, the City Museum, local historians, university academics, and Cork City Council staff, especially within the transport and mobility departments. Road safety awareness officers and elected city representatives have also expressed interest in our findings. The overarching goal of our project is to build awareness of Cork’s rich cycling culture and use that knowledge as a behaviour-change tool to promote sustainable mobility. As we aim to educate the general public, academic institutions, and policy-makers alike, the research has proven relevant for a wide spectrum of people, all of whom are critical in shaping Cork’s future mobility landscape.
St Patrick’s Street – Photo courtesy of Amy Ramsden
4. Adoption Rate of the Research
Since its modest beginnings as a Lightning Talk at the UCC Socio-Cycling Symposium in 2023, the project’s adoption rate has grown significantly. We have been invited to present our exhibition and findings at various community events, including Bike Week, Community Fairs, and Heritage Week. The project has garnered significant public interest, with people reaching out to contribute their own cycling stories and photos, which in turn has enriched our archival research. Moreover, Cork Cycling Campaign has partnered with the Cork Folklore Project to document oral histories of cycling from past and present generations. These personal stories have helped us build a more comprehensive picture of Cork’s cycling culture and how it might evolve in the future. The Cycling Cities Project has brought a new and innovative perspective to cycling in Cork. We are confident that the knowledge uncovered by the Cycling Cities Project will continue to shape Cork’s transport and mobility policies for decades to come.
Note:
All three photos in this article were kindly provided by Kevin Long in Cork Cycling Campaign. The featured / top image above shows Kevin’s grandparents on the Western Road in Cork in 1943.
