Getting Physically Active by E-Bike: An Active Commuting Intervention Study
Introduction: Increased physical activity (PA) is a major component in promoting public health, and active commuting could make an important contribution. Using an electric bicycle (e-bike) is reported to be of at least moderate intensity PA and is an alternative to other modes of transport for comm...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Ubiquity Press
2020-10-01
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| Series: | Physical Activity and Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://paahjournal.com/articles/63 |
| _version_ | 1828471488488931328 |
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| author | Thomas Mildestvedt Olav Hovland Sveinung Berntsen Elling Bere Liv Fegran |
| author_facet | Thomas Mildestvedt Olav Hovland Sveinung Berntsen Elling Bere Liv Fegran |
| author_sort | Thomas Mildestvedt |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: Increased physical activity (PA) is a major component in promoting public health, and active commuting could make an important contribution. Using an electric bicycle (e-bike) is reported to be of at least moderate intensity PA and is an alternative to other modes of transport for commuting. We aimed to explore the experience of commuting by e-bike in an intervention study. Methods: Focus group interviews with 21 previously inactive participants from three cities in Norway, who were given access to an e-bike for commuting for three (N = 2) or eight months (N = 19). Participants cycled for 226 days on average. The interviews were analyzed using systematic text condensation. Results: The use of e-bikes and active commuting stimulated some participants to take on additional PA in their leisure time. Others preferred active commuting to be their daily PA. Participants’ experiences of commuting by e-bike were characterized by a motivational shift from external reasons for e-biking, such as pressure to get fit, to feelings of well-being, enjoyment and recognition of the health benefits. Conclusion: Commuting by e-bike was convenient and promoted good health. Promoting e-bikes could lead to long term changes among inactive people because positive experiences stimulate autonomous reasons for active commuting. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T05:12:28Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a60f87f1e7ae47478b50374548e7ce6e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2515-2270 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T05:12:28Z |
| publishDate | 2020-10-01 |
| publisher | Ubiquity Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Physical Activity and Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-a60f87f1e7ae47478b50374548e7ce6e2022-12-22T01:19:53ZengUbiquity PressPhysical Activity and Health2515-22702020-10-014110.5334/paah.6346Getting Physically Active by E-Bike: An Active Commuting Intervention StudyThomas Mildestvedt0Olav Hovland1Sveinung Berntsen2Elling Bere3Liv Fegran4University of BergenUniversity of AgderUniversity of AgderUniversity of AgderUniversity of AgderIntroduction: Increased physical activity (PA) is a major component in promoting public health, and active commuting could make an important contribution. Using an electric bicycle (e-bike) is reported to be of at least moderate intensity PA and is an alternative to other modes of transport for commuting. We aimed to explore the experience of commuting by e-bike in an intervention study. Methods: Focus group interviews with 21 previously inactive participants from three cities in Norway, who were given access to an e-bike for commuting for three (N = 2) or eight months (N = 19). Participants cycled for 226 days on average. The interviews were analyzed using systematic text condensation. Results: The use of e-bikes and active commuting stimulated some participants to take on additional PA in their leisure time. Others preferred active commuting to be their daily PA. Participants’ experiences of commuting by e-bike were characterized by a motivational shift from external reasons for e-biking, such as pressure to get fit, to feelings of well-being, enjoyment and recognition of the health benefits. Conclusion: Commuting by e-bike was convenient and promoted good health. Promoting e-bikes could lead to long term changes among inactive people because positive experiences stimulate autonomous reasons for active commuting.https://paahjournal.com/articles/63cyclingelectric-bicycleself-determinationmotivationqualitative study |
| spellingShingle | Thomas Mildestvedt Olav Hovland Sveinung Berntsen Elling Bere Liv Fegran Getting Physically Active by E-Bike: An Active Commuting Intervention Study Physical Activity and Health cycling electric-bicycle self-determination motivation qualitative study |
| title | Getting Physically Active by E-Bike: An Active Commuting Intervention Study |
| title_full | Getting Physically Active by E-Bike: An Active Commuting Intervention Study |
| title_fullStr | Getting Physically Active by E-Bike: An Active Commuting Intervention Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Getting Physically Active by E-Bike: An Active Commuting Intervention Study |
| title_short | Getting Physically Active by E-Bike: An Active Commuting Intervention Study |
| title_sort | getting physically active by e bike an active commuting intervention study |
| topic | cycling electric-bicycle self-determination motivation qualitative study |
| url | https://paahjournal.com/articles/63 |
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