Is It about a Bicycle? A Posthumanist Perspective on the Role of Women’s Bicycles in WWII Resistance Movements

Drawing upon Donna Haraway’s cyborg theory, this paper argues that the bicycle can be conceived as a cyborg extension of body and identity which transcended its mechanical essence to become an integral co-partner for women involved in resistance activities in WWII. More specifically, the study explores how women used cycling during World War II not only for mobility but as a profound expression of courage, endurance and solidarity which enabled them to overcome physical and symbolic barriers under totalitarian regimes. The bicycle emerges not only as a central co-agent but also actively co-creates the situations in which it emerges as a transformative force. Cycling acted as a catalyst for personal and collective empowerment, fostering new subjectivities while transcending physical and social limitations. This study sparks multidimensional discourse on how technological tools can co-create our societies and identities, offering insights into how bicycles can drive socio-political change, promote emancipation and foster inclusivity.

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