Multidisciplinary Connotations Of The Development Of Cycling In The Life Of Society

Abstract

Cycling has achieved more and more significant meanings in the European contemporary society's life. It is promoted on a wider-and-wider social, cultural and sport level and it has influences which were unsuspected before. This study has revealed the behavioural profile of the urban cyclists in Romania, which is a European country with a big deficit of cycling specialized infrastructure. Having interviewed 235 men and 70 women, urban cyclists, during 2016-2018, has enabled us to carry out eight comparisons upon different criteria, at five different age categories. The results highlight the profile of the cycling practitioners, according to their gender and age, the differences between the groups being calculated by the chi square test. Among the results we notice aspects such as: men complete their sport activism especially with football, as compared to women who practise indoor fitness mainly; men cycle about two times more frequently, they spend approximately two times more time on their bike and they cover about three times bigger distances in comparison with women. Both gender groups generally invest 200-500 euro in this physical activity aimed at cultivating health, whereas the utilitarian purpose is almost inexistent. Both gender subjects admit that important benefits are burning excess calories and fighting stress. Basically, both gender categories prefer cycling with friends, even though a lot of men practise the activity individually as well, or in cycling communities, while women prefer cycling within their families.