Vélomobility of female refugees and immigrants in Germany: towards an inclusive city

• Applicant: Dr. Shahrzad Enderle
• Subject Area: Human Geography
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 515651275

Through an intersectional feminist lens, this research aims to shed light on the social inclusiveness of the green (smart) urban vélomobility system and policies in an arguably bicycle-friendly city with a high share of cycling mobility in Germany, namely Freiburg im Breisgau. The aim is to draw attention to the problems of uneven mobilities and differential accessibility and the need to provide equitable and sustainable solutions that treat all urban dwellers on an equal basis – irrespective of income, ethnicity, gender, abilities and so on. The first work package of the research project has a focus on the subjective urban spatialities and temporalities as well as micromobility patterns of refugee and immigrant women before and after learning how to ride a bicycle in the host country. The second work package of the research project is an action research which aims to reveal the target group’s actual and (potential) usage of urban smart vélomobility vehicles like smart bikeshare and cargo-bikes and to provide community-based solutions to ultimately promote inclusive urban smart vélomobility in Freiburg.

• DFG Programme: WBP Position