Mainstreaming sustainable practices without losing conviviality? An assessment framework based on cycling

Abstract

Conceptualizations of scaling sustainable practices tend to focus on the uptake of new technologies and practices, whereas the scaling or maintaining of convival practices with a long history has received less attention. In this article, we explore mainstreaming of cycling along three contemporary paths: the spread of e-bikes, bike sharing, and bike kitchens. We develop an analytical framework for assessing mainstreaming of sustainable practices and its impacts on conviviality – exploring which new groups are reached and new forms of usage opened up, as well as the impacts on accessibility, adaptability, and socio-ecological relations. Our analysis shows that the spread of e-bikes and bike sharing are associated with a certain loss of conviviality, while bike kitchens explicitly aim to maintain conviviality. The mainstreaming paths also widen and deepen the practice and notion of cycling. We conclude by reflecting on policy implications and how strategies for more convivial mainstreaming can be organized.

Keywords

• Mainstreaming
• conviviality
• e-bikes
• bike sharing
• bike kitchens