Mountain bikers at the Bike Park : Attitudes, Risk Appetite and Incident Management

Abstract

The objective of this thesis is to explore the attitudes, risk appetite, and incident management among mountain bikers at the bike parks, particularly their perceptions of risk and the reasons behind the underreporting of incidents and near-misses. The thesis aims to benefit Suomen hiihtokeskus Ry (SHKY Ry), the association that oversees ski centers in Finland, by providing insights into improving safety protocols for mountain biking within bike parks.

The development task involved conducting a survey targeting bike park consumers to gather data on their experiences, attitudes, and incident reporting behaviors. The theoretical framework draws upon existing literature on extreme sports, risk-taking behavior, and incident management strategies. Quantitative methods were employed through an online survey distributed to the participants, which included tailored questions addressing attitudes toward risk and incident management. Key findings reveal a notable reluctance among participants to report incidents, driven by factors such as perceived personal responsibility and social norms within the biking community. Additionally, the analysis indicates that enhancing communication regarding safety and risk management could potentially improve incident reporting rates.

In conclusion, the thesis underscores the importance of fostering a culture of safety and encouraging open dialogue among mountain bikers. Recommendations include targeted training regarding incident reporting and the implementation of user-friendly reporting systems at bike parks, aiming to enhance overall safety and risk management in the biking community.

Keywords: mountain biking, risk management, incident reporting, bike park, extreme sports