Cycling and trauma

We would like to open the discussion about the different dimensions of trauma and cycling in a range of cycling practices including cycling for transport, sport or leisure. The impact of a traumatic cycling event on people’s health (physical and mental health) can influence cycling behaviour and perceptions. At the same time, cycling can be therapeutic for trauma healing. The intersection of trauma and cycling has come up in research studies of different kinds, for example, mental health issues in the aftermath of a cycling crash, the influence of past trauma in people who are learning to cycle. Even though the overlaps are multiple, and the impacts are significant on people’s wellbeing, there are not enough studies exploring these issues.

We invite contributions on the intersection of trauma and cycling from the community. This is a very open exploration aimed at collectively advancing our understanding and approach to cycling and trauma. We hope to instigate interdisciplinary conversations in which we can identify the different dimensions and map out a research agenda together.

Topics could include but are not limited to:

Recovery after cycling injury.
Trauma-related mental health issues as a barrier to access cycling.
Physical or psychological traumas caused while cycling.
Trauma-informed research in cycling, how to do research in a way that is sensitive to the researcher(s) and the participant(s) trauma.
Impact of trauma in cycling experiences and mobile lives.
Cycling as a (physical and psychological) trauma therapy.
 

At this exploratory stage, contributions can take a range of forms. They stem from existing studies but also from research or even personal experience. They can be sent to us (email addresses below) in the shape of an abstract or just short ideas, references, materials, and relevant aspects to be discussed in the workshop. The online workshop will feature these contributions and provide a space for discussion with contributors and participants.

The deadline for sending contributions is Friday 28th January. We plan to hold this workshop on Wednesday 23rd March 2022, 2pm-4pm. Once we receive contributions, we will share the programme.

Please contact us with any questions or suggestions, Simon Cook Simon.Cook@bcu.ac.uk Esther Anaya-Boig e.anaya-boig@imperial.ac.uk