More Motornormativity with Marco te Brömmelstroet, aka "The Fietsprofessor"
May 6, 2025
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Marco te Brömmelstroet, known as 'The Fietsprofessor,' is a leading expert on urban mobility at the University of Amsterdam. In a fascinating discussion, he explores the concept of motonormativity and how societal biases favor cars over cycling. He delves into the interplay of public perception, cultural histories, and infrastructure advocacy. Marco also highlights the importance of storytelling in reshaping our view of urban spaces and the need for inclusive dialogues. His insights challenge us to rethink our mobility practices and their impact on community well-being.
Motonormativity reveals how societal biases around cars impact urban planning and influence our perceptions of transportation risks differently than other health issues.
The podcast discusses a study showing that despite better cycling infrastructure, Dutch attitudes toward car dependence are less pronounced than in America or the U.K.
Creative language and reframing urban mobility narratives can help foster inclusivity, challenge car-centric norms, and promote healthier public spaces for communities.
Deep dives
Understanding Car Culture and Environmental Impact
The podcast episode highlights the significant environmental issues associated with car usage, emphasizing the challenge of navigating through the extensive climate misinformation present today. The hosts examine the role of major climate denial talking points, which often mislead the public, such as the misconception that increased carbon levels benefit plant growth or the purported dangers of offshore wind turbines. They stress the need for activists and the general public to be armed with accurate information to counteract these fallacies, illustrating the responsible habits of electric vehicles as well as various misunderstandings around city planning concepts and infrastructure preferences. The discussion serves as a crucial reminder that debunking climate misinformation is essential for fostering a healthier environment and promoting sustainable transportation options.
The Concept of Motonormativity
Motonormativity is explored as a shared bias where societal standards regarding cars differ significantly from those applied to other modes of transportation. This bias influences the perception of cars in society, often leading to the normalization of automotive-centric urban planning. The guests reference multiple studies that investigate the origins of motonormativity, particularly the concept of car brain, which highlights how people perceive and react to traffic differently than they do to other issues like smoking or noise pollution. By recognizing these biases, the podcast argues that necessary steps can be taken to shift public perception and policies toward a more balanced approach that includes diverse mobility options.
Research Findings on Motor Normativity
The episode delves into a comprehensive study which analyzes motor normativity across different countries, including the U.S., U.K., and the Netherlands. The research revealed interesting patterns, including the unexpected result that Dutch participants showed lower levels of motor normativity than their American and British counterparts despite their extensive cycling infrastructure. This finding ignited a discussion on why increased cycling culture may inadvertently mask ongoing automotive dominance and bias in perceptions. The insights drawn from this study encourage a reevaluation of how cultural and physical environments shape individuals' attitudes toward cars and mobility in general.
Shifting the Narrative Around Urban Mobility
The discussion emphasizes the importance of reframing conversations around urban mobility to challenge existing perspectives that prioritize automobile use. The concept of pluralistic ignorance is introduced to illustrate how many individuals may hold progressive views on transportation but often feel isolated in their beliefs due to vocal oppositions. The hosts advocate for empowering underrepresented voices in urban planning discussions, particularly those centered on child safety and public space utilization, to transform the mobility narrative into one that values inclusivity and community health. By doing so, they argue that cities can evolve to prioritize social well-being over car-centric infrastructure.
Language as a Tool for Change
The podcast highlights the critical role of language in shaping public discourse about transportation and urban design. By using terms that frame urban spaces primarily in relation to traffic, such as 'low traffic neighborhoods,' society inadvertently downgrades the importance of diverse and inclusive public spaces. Creative reframing strategies, such as discussing 'children's autonomy' instead of merely 'reducing traffic,' can mobilize greater support for progressive changes in urban environments. The hosts underscore the challenge of rethinking established narratives and urge listeners to explore alternative terminologies that promote a broader understanding of urban mobility and the complexities involved in creating healthier, more livable cities.
Marco te Brömmelstroet, also known as "The Fietsprofessor," returns to The War on Cars to discuss a new study he co-authored with Dr. Ian Walker, another former guest of the podcast. The study takes a look at a phenomenon where people accept the harms and risks associated with cars in ways they wouldn't in other areas of life. But unlike Dr. Walker's previoius study — and that of Dr. Tara Goddard, another friend of The War on Cars — this new study asks where motonormativity comes from and examines the ways in which it manifests itself differently depending on factors such as where a person lives or their perceptions of the beliefs of their friends and family. The results are fascinating.
Marco also studies language and how it affects people's perceptions of mobility and had a lot to say about how we can tell better stories about who and what our streets are for.
