Motivation for mountain biking in Norway: Change and stability in late-modern outdoor recreation

Abstract

The paper presents empirical data on motivation for mountain biking in Norway. In the study a mountain biker was defined as a person who had cycled on rough trails or in difficult terrain more than ten times during the previous year. The research sought to establish the degree to which the motivation for the ‘modern’ activity of mountain biking differs from the motivation for more ‘traditional’ outdoor recreational activities. In 2002 two surveys were conducted among bikers to take into account two different ways of practising mountain biking. A factor analysis was undertaken with 27 items from the Recreation Experience Preference (REP) scales to establish the relative importance of various kinds of motivation. Participants rated the importance of the factors on a scale from 1 (not at all important) to 5 (very important). ‘Physical exercise’ scored a mean value of 4.46, ‘contemplation’ 3.91, ‘nature & place’ 3.52, ‘speed & excitement’ 3.43, ‘managing challenges’ 3.35, ‘social relations’ 2.49, and ‘equipment & appreciation’ 2.02. The paper concludes that a theoretical perspective which focuses on both change and stability in cultural development in the late-modern period is necessary for a nuanced understanding of the complexities of Norwegian outdoor recreation today.