My body was no longer a problem’

Electric mountain biking, disability, and the cultural politics of green exercise

Dados Bibliográficos

ID8962843
AutoresJames Cherrington (0000-0002-9824-231X, Academy of Sport and Physical Activity Sheffield Hallam University Sheffield UK, autor correspondente), James Brighton (0000-0002-7282-8558, School of Psychology and Life Sciences Canterbury Christchurch University Canterbury UK)
Ano2024
Volume50
Fascículo3
Data de publicação2024-09-24
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoTransactions of the Institute of British Geographers (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0020-2754 • E-ISSN: 1475-5661
EditoraWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/tran.12715
OpenAlexW4402765620
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas4
Referências citadas57

Disability is often overlooked in discussions of green exercise. Consequently, we still know little about how ableist ideologies might play out in the context of nature engagement, or the forms of pleasure that disabled people derive from participation in green spaces. In this paper, we address this gap in the literature by exploring the relationship between electric mountain biking and disability in England (UK). Adopting the work of Bernard Stiegler, we highlight the superficiality of existing ideologies of nature, analyse the myriad ways that e‐mountain bikes can challenge ableist attitudes towards outdoor recreation, and explore the freedoms and constraints that accompany the assemblages between e‐mountain bikes and ‘disabled’ bodies. Drawing on data from 20 online interviews, we highlight the social contexts and interactions that shape technological choices, adaptations, and outcomes within the disabled e‐mountain bike community. Our analysis reveals that, while e‐mountain bikes are stigmatised in green spaces, the enhanced level of social interaction that is afforded by the presence of such technology allows participants to de‐emphasise their perceived physical inadequacy and, instead, focus on promoting a more empowering image of the socio‐technical disabled body that is active, capable and self‐determined

Cultural politics · Physical medicine and rehabilitation · Political science · Politics · Sociology · Adventure Sports and Sensation Seeking · Diversity and Impact of Dance · Law · Medicine · Sport and Mega-Event Impacts