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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.
***Our new book, Life After Cars: Freeing Ourselves from the Tyranny of the Automobile, will be published on October 21, 2025 by Thesis, an imprint of Penguin Random House. Pre-order now.***
This episode was produced with the generous support of the Helen & William Mazer Foundation.
This episode was also supported by Cleverhood.
Save 15% on the amazing Arclight Pedals and everything from Redshift Sports with code WARONCARS at checkout.
LINKS:
- “Why Do Cars Get a Free Ride? The social-ecological roots of motonormativity,” a study by Marco te Brömmelstroet and Ian Walker.
- Read Marco’s book, “Movement: How to Take Back Our Streets and Transform Our Lives,” co-authored with journalist Thalia Verkade.
- Follow the Urban Cycling Institute on Bluesky.