A Natal that pedals: cycling and its interactions with the city.
Body. Cyclomobility. Natal/RN. PNMU. Space.
This paper aims to analyze the conditions of cyclomobility in the municipality of Natal/RN. Urban commuting by bicycle has recently given rise to a series of debates and discussions in the academic field, in many different areas. At first, we sought to understand how the dynamics of cycling in Natal occur - especially with regard to the implementation of cycling infrastructure and its progress or setbacks. To do this, we based ourselves on the National Urban Mobility Policy (BRASIL, 2012), a law that provides guidelines for urban mobility in Brazilian municipalities. Through research that is both quantitative and qualitative, we will carry out in-depth, semi-structured interviews with social actors who travel by bicycle in the city. Methodologically, we will also use a series of tools, including a literature review, discourse analysis and document analysis. We will analyze the data obtained in order to see how much attention is given to those who practice cyclomobility in the city of Natal. In addition, we are looking to see how the local hegemonic media deals with the issue of bicycle commuting. This research, then, proposes to broaden the field of study on the use of bicycles in large cities, since urban centers experience chronic problems related to urban planning and urban mobility has been pointed out as a fundamental element in this regard (JACOBS, 2011; RODRIGUES, 2016). With the emergence of new urban spaces, not just for motor vehicles, but for and on behalf of city dwellers (GEHL, 2013), the bicycle appears to be an element that points to a change in perspective. We also analyze how the dimension of the body is inserted into the modern context of cities. Theoretically, we draw on anthropology, architecture and history, such as Sennett (2003), Breton (2003) and Berenstein (2012).