Why they cycle more in Tanga than Dar es Salaam? A comparative study on challenges and Motivators to cycling in Tanzania

Abstract

The study looked on differences of cycling culture between Dar es Salaam and Tanga cities in Tanzania. The study attempts to find factors behind a thriving cycling culture in Tanga and factors for a weakening cycling culture in Dar es Salaam. Comparative case study methodology was used in collection, organization and analysis of data and Social Practice Theory was adopted as a model of analysis and discussion. The study found out that, people in Tanga and Dar es Salaam are facing different realities when it comes to bicycle commuting. In this study, Tanga is summarized as a bicycle friendly city while Dar es Salaam is not. This dissimilarity is due to certain factors namely: safety and facilities, geography, culture, history, policy and advocacy and availability of alternative transportation. Using the social practice theory, the discussion was mostly focused on how elements of practice influence cycling by basing the dialog on how income influence social norms and consequently impacts the way people evaluate their commuting decisions. On second part the discussion, the researcher evaluates the evolution of commuting practices from a cluster of cultural practices to competition with each other and lastly emergence of dominant practices, which in turn influence the way people base their commuting decisions.