Continuity and contestation. Structural and cultural background of transportation preferences in Poland

The main goal of this paper is to understand the interconnections between cultural and functional aspects of car exploitation. It is argued that these two aspects should be considered as different sides of the same automobility phenomenon, which has a great impact on the transportation preferences of citizens. In order to explain how the interconnections would influence each other and shape the preferences, the analysis results are considered within the framework of a biographical approach, with particular attention to the adulthood transition. The paper provides evidence that the mobility orientation of many local inhabitants changes as a result of obtaining a job. At this biographical stage, the growing importance of the dominating strategy of “being a driver” could be observed, mainly due to different socially constructed requirements, e.g. the demonstration of buyer power, flexibility and multi-functional existence. Finally, it is also emphasized that the interconnections strengthening the role of private cars should not be considered in terms of what does not change, since they trigger opposition discourses which criticise automobility domination.