ABSTRACT
This chapter begins with the process of examining sociology of velomobility through explicit attention to the elements of practice theory. The separation of materials, competencies and meanings within social practices is a heuristic device, designed to assist analysis of the complexities of practices rather than to imply separate existence of these elements. The chapter considers cycles as technological objects. For ease of understanding the material dimensions of vélomobility, that is, cycling practices considered in systematic form, a division is made between two dimensions of materiality. The tensions between competing value systems visible in the relationship of riders and machines allow further focus on the material object of the bicycle as a gendered object and as a normative object. As developed in relation to human agency and technology, the relations of material technologies and material spaces can be seen to include both users and non-users.
