Analyzing "factors creating national cycling policies" (Case study on Turkey: Views of sport managers)

The purpose of this research was to analyse the reviews of sport managers on factors forming the national cycling policies in promoting the use of bicycles. These sport managers were active bicyclists/referees/trainers, and/or sport executives who have taken part in national or international cycling sport institutions and organizations. The method applied in this study was qualitative in nature and the phenomenological approach was used. Data was collected by "interviewing" and "partially-structured interview" form was used. "Purposeful sampling" method and "Criterion sampling" strategy was used. A total of 6 participants were interviewed and "Descriptive analysis" and "Content analysis" methods were used to analyse data. According to the findings main and sub- themes were revealed. Regarding the 1st sub-problem "the process of becoming acquainted with and using a bicycle", main themes and sub-themes a) childhood, b) youth and c) adolescence were determined. These were: a) Childhood: using a bicycle. b) Youth: competing, establishing and managing a club. c) Adolescence: managing sport and international organizations. As the 2nd sub-problem, the metaphorical definitions of the participants regarding the "nature of the bicycle" were revealed. These were the metaphorical definitions such as a) Passion and Event (Continuing regardless of age) b) Swiss Army Knife (Can do any job) c) Tree (Natural and beneficial to health) d) Devil's Carriage (Riding a biycle skillfully without falling). For the 3rd sub-problem, the participants' views on the factors making up national cycling policies in the promotion of bicycle use were revealed. These were coded as 1. Education (Educational Programs, Educator and Course Quality), 2. Health (Obesity and Active Life), 3. Environmental Awareness (Protecting Environment and Environment Friendly City), 4. Organizational Structures (Political Policy), 5. Legal Framework (Tax Reduction, Incentives and Penalties), 6. Sports and Recreation (Cycling Races and Recreational Cycling), 7. Cycling Tourism (Strengthening Internal and External Tourism), 8. Cultural Cohesion (Family and Social Structure, Living Environment/surroundings), 9. Economical Budget (Financial Resources), 10. Goal Awareness (Goal Setting and Strategic Planning), 11. Transport System (Cyling Road Construction and Security). As a result of the research, participants emphasized the importance of introducing bicycles to children by parents and pre-school educators primarily during childhood and hereby creating bicycle awareness until adulthood in promoting bicycle usage. In addition, it was pointed out that there should be a "national cycling policy" that generates short and long term concrete goals, encourages and promotes bicycle use, participates and coordinates. Key Words: Sport, cyling, promoting cyling, national cycling policy