Modalities - Mobility cultures in motion
Conference of the Ostfalia Endowed Professorship for Cycling Management
September 4, 2025 | Haus der Wissenschaft, Braunschweig
Implementing the mobility transition requires a substantial cultural shift across politics, planning, and society. This means that existing perceptions and practices need to change so that sustainable mobility becomes the norm. In recent years, cycling has gained significant momentum, with bicycles becoming a mobility option for more and more people. A cultural shift is also evident in transportation planning, where new offers and standards are being established. However, this progress is not a given. Political frameworks and public sentiment are shifting, and resistance to change is becoming apparent.
How can we establish mobility cultures that consider everyone’s needs and ensure that sustainable options become the preferred choice? Prof. Dr. Jana Kühl and her team from the Ostfalia Endowed Professorship for Bicycle Traffic Management cordially invite you to the conference "Modalities – Mobility Cultures in Motion" on September 4, 2025, at Haus der Wissenschaften in Braunschweig. We aim to explore cycling and the future of mobility cultures from a scientific perspective and identify levers for change in politics, planning, society, and media.
Together with the seven BMDV endowed professorships and other inspiring experts, we aim to look ahead, share knowledge, address challenges, and refine solutions. The event is free of charge and is open to anyone interested in mobility – whether you are working in academia, politics, municipalities, or are part of civil society.
You can expect:
- Presentations by academic experts researching mobility cultures through the lenses of politics, planning, society, and media
- Interactive sessions where you can share your own perspectives
- Opportunities for inspiring exchanges and networking
During an open space format, you will have the chance to present your own topics related to mobility cultures. Over three rounds of 15 minutes each, you will be able to engage with other participants on your topic. We look forward to receiving submissions (up to 300 words) by May 2, 2025 at modalitaeten-k@ostfalia.de . The format is flexible and can be used e. g. for poster presentations, short workshops, or open discussion rounds.
We look forward to your registration.
Kind regards
The Ostfalia cycling management team
Draft program
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Welcome! Reshaping mobility cultures – Potentials and levers of change
Prof. Dr. Jana Kühl | Professor of Cycling Management, Ostfalia University of Applied Science |
| Moderated discussion: From car to cycling culture? |
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Key-note: Why cycling futures might not start with cycling (or Why mobility transitions do
not start with mobility) (English)
Prof. Dr. Meredith Glaser | CEO Urban Cycling Institute, Amsterdam |
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Coffee and tea break
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Parallel Sessions 1
1 Political Cultures: Approaches to Overcoming Autocentrism 2 Changing Perspectives: Overlooked Groups and Active Mobility (English) 3 Mobility by Design: The Power of Infrastructures |
| Coffee and tea break |
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Parallel Sessions 2
1 Planning Cultures: Alliances for Active Mobility 2 Change through Communication: A Media Culture in Favor of Cycling 3 Uncovering Dead Angles: Limits and Potentials of Knowledge and Data (English) |
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Lunch break
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| Highlights from the sessions |
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Open Spaces - Workshops
1 Politics and governance 2 Social and media perspectives 3 Infrastructures and mobility design |
| Coffee and tea break |
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Closing dialog: Hope for change?
Professors of Cycling & students |
| Optional: City tour in Braunschweig |