Factors in user group conflict between hikers and mountain bikers

Abstract

The rapid growth of mountain biking has created potential for conflict between bikers and other user groups. This study examined four factors (outgroup evaluation, leisure activity identification, years of experience, and frequency of participation) that may make individuals more sensitive to the behavior of other user groups. The effect of sensitivity on actual attributions of conflict was also analyzed. A path model was tested with two sets of data from 231 mountain bikers and 121 hikers. Outgroup bias and years of participation were found to have statistically significant effects on sensitivity to interference. Sensitivity was found to have a significant effect on actual conflict attribution. The findings suggest that efforts to reduce bias and promote tolerance for other user groups are an effective approach to user group conflicts.