A Theoretical Perspective on How Bicycle Commuters Might Experience Aesthetic Features of Urban Space

Abstract

Limited attention has been paid to the value of the aesthetic dimension of the urban environment in altering the character of commuting by bicycle. The positive impact of aesthetics on cycling is primarily related to emotional reactions of an individual. For cyclists, aesthetic experience is a multisensory phenomenon influenced by various motivational factors. The purpose of this paper is to lay out a conceptual framework for studies of the aesthetic experience of commuting bicyclists. Three theoretical approaches were considered for interpretation of information: (1) phenomenology of sensory perception and experience; (2) urban design theory; and (3) environmental aesthetics. Together the three theoretical fields complement each other and explain different viewpoints on this complex subject. Relating earlier studies on bicycling to these theories may elucidate the ways in which bicycling affects how the senses work and how perception of the environment can be interpreted in terms of aesthetic meaning. In particular, speed affects this perception. The importance of aesthetic features has a strong relation to expectations and attitude towards the trip.