Dr Jennifer Bonham

Biography/ Background

Jennifer Bonham has a background in human geography specializing in urbanization, urban travel and the processes that shape urban space. Jennifer is currently course coordinator for the first year course Globalisation, Justice and a Crowded Planet, advanced level course Urban Futures and Masters courses in Research Methods and State of the City. Her research focuses on power and the production of urban public spaces, cultural practices of travel and the gendering of mobility. Her work has been presented and published in Australia and overseas. Jennifer is currently undertaking research into Active Travel and is using different theoretical approaches to explore cyclists and the city as a context for cycling. These projects include: intra-urban differences in cycling; explorations of the social, emotional and physical content of women returning to cycling; and the cycling subject in contemporary discourses on transport, health and environment. Her interest in cycling emerges from a concern with healthy, ecologically sustainable urban environments. Other research interests include urban governance, urbanisation and resiliant cities.

Research Interests

 

 

Beyond Origin and Destination: the experiences of women returning to riding a bike

 

 

Research Information

 

The number of people riding bicycles is on the increase and women are an important part of this trend. But across Australia women still make up a much smaller proportion of cyclists than men and many women say they’d like to cycle but are nervous about making the first step.

 

This research seeks to find out more about the experiences of women as they take up cycling. We are looking especially at women who have had a break from bike riding and we’d like to find out about their journey to start cycling again – from the initial decision through to getting back on a bike.

 

The research will involve an in-depth interview and, for those who are interested, a follow up interview after three months. Participants involved in the longer study will be asked to keep a diary (this can be jotting down some notes, taking some photographs or making an audio recording) about their experiences of returning to cycling.

 

The research is expected to assist other women who are thinking about returning to cycling. It will also assist policy makers and planners as they make decisions about catering to the needs of this group of cyclists.

 

We do not foresee any risks associated with being involved in this research but it may provide an opportunity for participants to discuss how they have dealt with different cycling situations. 

Participants’ identities will be kept confidential at all stages of the research process including write up, publication and presentation of the results. Pseudonyms will be used in place of participants’ actual names and no identifiers will be kept by the researchers after the project is completed nor included in reporting the findings.

 

 

Publications

In Preparation

Michel Foucault and the Study of Transport

 

 

 

Book Chapters

Bonham J, (2006), ‘Transport: Disciplining the Body that Travels’ in S Bohm, C Land, C Jones & M Paterson (eds), Against Automobility, Sociological Review Monographs, Blackwell: London pp54-73.

Bonham J & D Ferretti (1999) ‘Imagining the Street: From Road Networks to Cultural Boulevards’, in E Stratford (ed) Australian Cultural Geographies. Oxford University Press: South Melbourne pp109-30.

 

Journal Articles

Bonham J & B Koth (accepted) ‘Universities and the Cycling Culture’ Transportation Research - Part D D

Bonham J (2008) ‘Shutting Down Choice? Freeways, Corridors and the Politics of Micro-Spaces’ South Australian Geographical Journal 107: pp49-68

Bonham J & J Suh (2008) 'Pedalling the City: intra-urban differences in cycling' Australian Road and Transport Research 17(4) pp25-40.

Bonham J (2006) ‘Constructions of Mobility in Post WWII Adelaide’ South Australian Geographical Journal 105: pp51-59.

Ferretti D & J Bonham (2001) ‘Travel Blending: Whither Regulation?’, Australian Geographical Studies, 39(3), pp302-12.

 

Peer Reviewed Conference Proceedings

Bonham J & B Koth (2008) ‘Uni-cycle: universities fostering a culture of cycling’ Proceedings of the Thinking on Two Wheels Conference, 15-16 January 2007, Adelaide

Bonham J, Cathcart S, Petkov J & P Lumb (2006) ‘Safety in Numbers: A strategy for cycling?’ Proceedings of the 29^th Australasian Transport Research Forum, 27^th-29^th September 2006, Gold Coast, Queensland Government, Brisbane

Bonham J, Jervis C, Lumb P & Berndt A, (2004), ‘Relinquishing a Driver’s Licence’, Proceedings of the 27^th Australian Transport Research Forum, 29^th September – 1^st October 2004, Adelaide, South Australian Government - Department of Transport, Energy and Infrastructure, Adelaide.

Fazakerley R & J Bonham (2002) ‘Intersections: Public Art and Road Space’ in D Jones (ed) 20^th Century Heritage – Our Recent Cultural Legacy, Proceedings of the Australia ICOMOS National Conference 2001, 28 Nov–1 Dec 2001, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, pp352-57.

Bonham J (2000) ‘Safety & Speed: Ordering the Street of Transport’, in C Garnaut & S Hamnett (eds) Fifth Urban History/Planning History Conference, University of South Australia, Adelaide, 13-15 April 2000, pp54-66.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Professional Associations

Member: Institute of Australian Geographers, Planning Institute of Australia

Files

• Women returning to cycling information sheet - Information_Sheetv2.doc [45.0K] (application/msword)

Entry last updated: Wednesday, 30 Sep 2009