South Asia Cycles was a two-day workshop on the past, present, and future of cycling in Low- and Middle-Income Countries(LMICs) to bring voices across academia, policy, and industry regarding the current situation and experiences of bicyclists, barriers to bicycling, and future trajectories of bicycles in LMIC contexts, with a focus on South Asia. The workshop was organized on 22 and 23 November 2024 at the University of Chicago Centre in Delhi, India. Sessions included:
(1) Thematic panel discussions on equitable access to bicycles and bicycling infrastructure, the safety of bicyclists, the role of bicycles in the sustainable transportation paradigm, and human-centric perspectives of bicycles in cities;
(2) An exhibition of posters and short films by researchers and filmmakers working on bicycling.
Cycles and cycling are both a sociocultural and technological phenomenon. Research and interventions must engage with the sociocultural histories and politics of this technology and its infrastructures. We collectively asked and discussed broad questions regarding the place of bicycles within the fast-changing transportation landscape in South Asia and how to approach research, advocacy, and policy to support large increases in bicycling in these times. Further, the workshop was an opportunity to shape and contribute to emergent conversations and collaborations across institutions, organizations, and academic disciplines on bicycles.