Datafication of cycling: tensions between cycling policy and mobility justice

该奖学金巩固了esrc资助项目的博士研究，题为“自行车数据化：自行车政策与流动性正义之间的紧张关系”。在博士研究培训期间，我对“数据化”过程（如智能设备产生的“大数据”的收集、处理和共享）如何影响自行车政策计划的实施有了独到的理解。通过关注健身和健身应用程序（如Strava）生成的数据，我展示了包括伦敦交通局（TfL，英国）和俄勒冈州运输部（ODOT，美国）在内的管理部门如何利用数据来支持交通政策目标。这些数据被认为是年轻男性为了通勤和娱乐目的而记录的骑车旅程。尽管学术界有兴趣探索Strava Metro样本与可观察数据（如周期计数器）相比的统计代表性，但没有对Strava Metro作为评估政策来源的应用进行批判性反思。为了应对这一研究缺口，我批判性地分析了自行车政策计划，并与伦敦交通局和伦敦交通运输部的数据科学家和研究人员进行了半结构化访谈。这项研究的结果表明，公共管理部门对Strava Metro数据的评估是如何不公平地偏袒了那些已经高度流动的人，他们可能是出于选择，而不是出于需要。通过综合流动性和数据正义理论，以及流动性、关键数据研究和公共政策方面的批判性学术研究，我展示了Strava Metro数据分析如何加剧了与效率和个人自由高于多样性的特权相关的现有社会不公正。如果不加以限制，我认为，尽管自行车在环境上具有可持续性，但它仍将是不可持续的。为了走向更平等和更公平的未来，我认为自行车政策必须从支持包容性自行车的道德要求开始，而不是主要关注增加自行车模式的份额。虽然博士研究表明，交通政策会产生深远的影响，但这项工作也面向更广泛的受众，而不仅仅是活跃的旅行政策爱好者，包括公共卫生专业人员、数据科学家和关键数据研究人员。为了扩大我的研究的影响，这个奖学金将主要集中在起草和出版同行评议的手稿在一系列重要的社会科学。具体而言，将起草三篇论文并提交给以下期刊：《移动》、《交通地理杂志》和《大数据与社会》。为了与多个学术受众有效沟通，我制定了详细的研究策略和工作计划。这项工作计划是在Peter Merriman教授的支持和指导下制定的，Peter Merriman教授是一位知名的地理学家，发表了90多篇期刊文章和书籍章节。通过在国际知名期刊上建立良好的出版物记录，该博士后奖学金将成为一个重要的踏脚石，成为一个批判性参与的多学科地理学家。

This Fellowship consolidates doctoral research on the ESRC-funded project entitled: "Datafication of cycling: tensions between cycling policy and mobility justice". During my doctoral research training, I developed an original understanding of how "datafication" processes, such as the collection, processing, and sharing of "big data" generated by smart devices, influence the delivery of cycling policy plans. By focusing on fitness and data generated by fitness apps, such as Strava, I showed how administrations including Transport for London (TfL, UK) and the Oregon Department of Transport (ODOT, USA) have made use of data to support transportation policy ambitions. These data are recognised to capture cycling journeys recorded by younger males for commuting and recreational purposes. Despite academic interest in exploring the statistical representativeness of Strava Metro samples compared to observable data such as cycle counters, there were no critical reflections on applied uses of Strava Metro as a source to evaluate policy. In response to this research gap, I critically analysed cycling policy plans and semi-structured interviews, with data scientists and researchers, at TfL and ODOT.The findings of this research demonstrated how the evaluation of Strava Metro data at public administrations to support policy ambitions unfairly privilege people who are already highly mobile, and who may cycle out of choice, not necessity. By synthesising theories of mobility and data justice, with critical scholarship from mobilities, critical data studies, and public policy, I showed how Strava Metro data analyses exacerbates existing social injustices associated with the privileging of efficiency and individual freedom over diversity. Left unchecked, I argued that cycling, for all its environmentally sustainable credentials, will remain unsustainable. To move toward more egalitarian and mobility just futures, I argued that cycling policies must start with an ethical imperative to support inclusive cycling, rather than remain primarily fixated on increasing cycling mode share.Whilst the doctoral research illustrated there are profound ramifications for transportation policy, the work also speaks to wider audiences beyond a narrow sphere of active travel policy enthusiasts, including public health professionals, data scientists, and critical data researchers. To amplify the impact of my research, this Fellowship will focus primarily on the drafting and publication of peer-reviewed manuscripts across a range of critical social sciences. Specifically, three manuscripts will be drafted and submitted to the following journals: Mobilities, The Journal of Transport Geography, and Big Data & Society. To communicate effectively with multiple academic audiences, I have developed a detailed research strategy and workplan. This workplan has been developed with support and guidance from Professor Peter Merriman, an established and leading geographer with over 90 journal articles and book chapters. By establishing a strong record of publications within internationally renowned journals, this Postdoctoral Fellowship will serve as a major steppingstone toward an academic career as a critically engaged, multidisciplinary geographer.