‘I can’t imagine me without a bike’ The lived experience of deaf countryside cyclists

Abstract

Exercise and physical activity (EPA) conducted while in nature has been demonstrated to have a significantly stronger impact on wellbeing when compared to EPA in other environments. Participation rates of deaf people in any form of EPA have consistently demonstrated to be below that of non-deaf people. Through the use of semistructured interviews, this study examined a group of four young deaf males that regularly took part in green cycling (cycling in the countryside). IPA analysis revealed two main Group Experiential Themes (GETS), adapting to deafness and nature connectedness. Results support the idea that nature connectedness was influenced by nature-based exercise and that nature connectedness enhanced wellbeing. Adapting to deafness provides a new understanding to how green cycling is experienced and the mechanisms by which this impacts the cyclist. Practical implications from the research are further discussed.