Motives and constraints of motorcycle leisure through the lens of serious leisure: scale development

ABSTRACT

This research investigates riding motorcycles as a serious leisure activity, and the motives and constraints of motorcycle leisure. The research is designed to develop a new scale on motorcycle leisure, hence followed the methodological phases of scale development. Following an extensive literature review on the research topic, a mixed-method primary data collection was executed. Through convenient sampling, face-to-face semi-structured interviews were held with 27 motorcyclists, who travel with their motorcycles for leisure purposes. Based on the findings of this initial data, structured interviews were conducted with further 33 motorcyclists. The cross-analysed findings of the two-staged interview phase alongside the findings of two focus group studies held with motorcyclists and academic experts respectively, were, then, used to identify the scale items. The scale was tested and validated on 486 survey participants, reached during several motorcyclist leisure events. The results indicate that the most important motives for motorcycle leisure are grouped under enjoyment, convenience and adventure-seeking. The constraints, in the meantime, were detected as work- and time-related restrictions, climate, accidents, fear of acquaintances and high costs of motorcycles and their parts.

KEYWORDS:

• Serious leisure
• motorcycle leisure
• motives
• constraints
• scale development

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mehmet Ertaş

Mehmet Ertaş is Associate Professor at the Department of Recreation Management, Faculty of Tourism, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Türkiye. He holds a BA degree in Accommodation Administration at Çukurova University, Türkiye, MSc and PhD degree in Tourism Management at Dokuz Eylül University, Türkiye. He delivers both undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the fields of tourism. He has academic publications on tourism recreation, motorcycle tourism and crisis management.

Gürhan Aktaş

Gürhan Aktaş is Associate Professor at the Department of Tourism Management, Faculty of Business, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Türkiye. He holds a BA degree in Business Administration at Hacettepe University, Türkiye, MSc in Tourism Management at University of Surrey and, PhD in Tourism Marketing at Bournemouth University, UK. He delivers both undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the fields of destination management and tourism marketing. He has academic publications on crisis management in tourist destinations, visitor attractions and events management.