How crises and social movements can build momentum for alternative mobility visions

Abstract

The need for alternative mobility visions is critical, as current systems in many regions remain environmentally and socially unsustainable, heavily reliant on fossil fuels, and significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. These systems exacerbate air and noise pollution, accelerate global warming, increase traffic collisions, and deepen social inequalities. While the urgency to decarbonize mobility systems and transition to post-fossil fuel solutions is widely recognized, a persistent ‘lock-in’ limits the ability to imagine viable alternatives. Although scholars increasingly call for alternative mobility visions, the challenge lies in understanding how such visions can be implemented in practice. In this chapter, we use the conceptual framework of punctuated equilibrium theory to understand how complex social systems change. The theory posits that most social systems exist in an extended period of stasis, punctuated by sudden shifts – such as crises – that lead to radical change. We use this framework to show how the convergence of social movements, research, and political will has historically laid the foundation for alternative mobility narratives, ultimately influencing policy decisions. We demonstrate that these elements must be in place for moments of disruption to translate into lasting institutional and policy change. Drawing on archival research and case studies from the Netherlands, we explore how activism—when aligned with research, political will, and crises—has facilitated transitions toward sustainable, non-fossil-fuel transport modes. By reviewing historical examples, we identify the conditions necessary for systemic change and propose strategies for leveraging future crises to advance equitable and sustainable mobility systems.