This year, our annual cycling competence fireside talk was dedicated to the exciting topic of cycling research. Leading researchers from Vienna, Graz and Salzburg discussed current developments and challenges in cycling and mobility research. The discussion was moderated by Cycle Competence member Martin Loidl from the Paris Lodron University of Salzburg (PLUS) and took place in an attractive setting in the Skybar of the University Park with a view of the Hohensalzburg Fortress.
Research’s contribution to the mobility transition

Martin Loidl, Head of the PLUS Mobility Lab, moderated the event and asked his high-calibre panel key questions about the interplay between cycling research and the mobility transition in Austria. In the context of the climate crisis and Austria’s need to catch up in reducing CO2 emissions in the transport sector, there is an increasing need for expertise and creative innovations to bring about the mobility transition. The academic study of cycling has therefore moved from a niche to the focus of numerous disciplines in Austria.

Technical and methodological research addresses fundamental issues and its findings provide important input for practice, planning and policy. But how can we generate sufficient impact there? Transdisciplinary, participatory approaches are orientated towards the needs of practical application. Does this turn researchers into parties in socio-political negotiation processes? The boundaries between academic research, science communication and civil society engagement are becoming more permeable.

The panel of the discussion with Tadej Brezina and Barbara Laa (both Technical University of Vienna), Martin Loidl (PLUS), Nina Hampl (Univesity of Graz) and Sven Leitinger (Salzburg Research)

Fotos: Simon Haigermoser/PLUS