CORPOS EM TRÂNSITO: O uso da bicicleta como meio de locomoção entre trabalhadores da cidade de Irati - PR

Abstract

The bicycle has been constituted as the main mean of transport of certain groups of workers in some cities of Brazil. The use of this mean of locomotion needs to be better understood based on studies that permits the improvement of the knowledge on this phenomenon. In this way, this study intends to reveal socioeconomic and cultural aspects related to the use of bicycles as a mean of locomotion among workers, in the municipality of Irati - PR, besides to analyse the conditions under which the body is exposed in such practice. This thesis presents, initially, an analysis of the scientific knowledge base about this subject, highlighting the main themes of studies related to cycling. Then, presents the interpretations arising from a field research, based on ethnographic character, consisting of observations, interactions and interviews with workers who use the bicycle as a mean of locomotion in the city of Irati. The goals of the research were: a) Understanding the meanings related to the use of bicycles as a mean of locomotion among workers in the city of Irati, PR; b) Understanding the relationship between the use of bikes and the social class; c) Knowing the relationship between bicycle use and the job class of the users; d) Knowing the conditions that the body of this workers is exposed. The bicycle, as well as any artifact of movement, became a sign of multiple representations and social, cultural and economic conditions, arising from the diversity of its uses. Besides seeking the understanding of such conditions and representations, the study had the intention to focus an issue that involves a specific social strata: workers inserted into a social reality that seems to be found naturalized in our society. Whit this, we are able to cause unrest and awareness of readers to the condition of invisibility that pervades this group.