Table 6.
Beliefs regarding electric pedal-assist mountain bike use (N=33).
| Beliefs regarding eMTBa use | Preride (agreed), n (%)b | Postride (agreed), n (%)b | P value c |
| I believe riding an eMTB is cheating | 16 (48) | 13 (39) | .11 |
| I believe riding an eMTB is equivalent to riding a motorcycle | 4 (12) | 5 (15) | .38 |
| I believe if eMTBs are allowed on existing dirt trails, then trail access for all mountain bikers will be compromised | 15 (45) | 10 (30) | .26 |
| I believe eMTB riders perceive they are actually mountain biking, but they are not; eMTB use is not mountain biking | 11 (33) | 5 (15) | .23 |
| I believe eMTBs should be banned from existing mountain bike trails and trail systems | 6 (18) | 6 (18) | .79 |
| I believe eMTB use causes more trail damage compared with conventional mountain bikes | 6 (18) | 4 (12) | .70 |
| I believe eMTB use should be limited to riders with physical handicaps or impairments | 6 (18) | 5 (15) | .08 |
| I believe that in the future, eMTB use will replace conventional mountain bikingd | 2 (6) | 4 (13) | .26 |
| I believe eMTBs have the potential to help older riders continue to enjoy mountain biking | 32 (97) | 31 (94) | .60 |
| I believe eMTBs have the potential to help less-fit riders increase their fitness levels and transition to conventional mountain biking | 25 (76) | 25 (76) | .71 |
| I believe I could get the same cardiovascular workout on an eMTB as I do my conventional mountain bike | 14 (42) | 5 (15) | .002 |
| I believe my heart rate is considerably lower while riding an eMTB as compared with my conventional mountain bike | 18 (55) | 28 (85) | <.001 |
| I am opposed to eMTB use | 6 (18) | 4 (12) | .11 |
| I believe eMTBs are primarily being pushed on cyclist by the industry to make money | 5 (15) | 7 (21) | .41 |
| I believe eMTB use will have a negative impact on mountain biking | 7 (21) | 7 (21) | .25 |
| I believe eMTB use will prove to be a passing fad | 10 (30) | 6 (18) | .03 |
| I am opposed to eMTB use by healthy individuals | 8 (24) | 8 (24) | .45 |
| I am opposed to eMTB use on the same trails as conventional mountain biking | 7 (21) | 7 (21) | .32 |
| I am fine with pedal-assist bike use on the street, but I am opposed to their use on dirt trails | 7 (21) | 6 (18) | .14 |
| I believe eMTB use allows riders of varying fitness levels to mountain bike together on dirt trails | 30 (91) | 26 (79) | .34 |
| I believe eMTB use allows all riders to bike longer distances | 32 (97) | 33 (100) | .07 |
| I believe that eMTB use allows riders greater and deeper access to backcountry dirt trails | 30 (91) | 32 (97) | .03 |
| I believe that eMTB use allows riders to ascend or climb greater distances and elevations in less time on dirt trails | 31 (94) | 33 (100) | .001 |
| I believe that eMTB use allows riders who may otherwise shuttle the ascent or drive to the top of the trail in a vehicle to ride up on dirt trails | 31 (94) | 31 (94) | .54 |
| I am supportive of eMTB usee | 26 (84) | 26 (84) | .17 |
aeMTB: electric pedal-assist mountain bike.
bAgreed n (%) includes both strongly agree and agree responses.
cP values were derived from paired t tests of preride and postride values. Variables were coded using the following logic: 1=strongly disagree, 2=disagree, 3=agree, and 4=strongly agree. Significant P values (<.05) are italicized.
dN=32.
eN=31.