Sustainable Commuting and Well-Being: The Role of Environmental Identity among Cyclists and Mountain Bikers

Abstract

The study aimed to investigates the relationship between environmental identity (EID) and overall well-being among athletes involved in Mountain Biking and Cycling. This research aims to understand how strongly an athlete’s identification with environmental values (EID) influences their psychological well-being, particularly in the context of eco-friendly commuting. The study analyzed a sample of 30 international, national, and state-level athletes using correlational methods to explore this dynamic. The results indicate a significant positive correlation between Environmental Identity and overall well-being (r = 0.694, p < 0.01), suggesting that athletes with a stronger environmental identity tend to experience higher levels of well-being. Additionally, the study explores the relationship between commuting variables such as duration and distance with well-being, finding a significant negative correlation between commute duration and well-being (r = -0.377, p < 0.05). This implies that longer commutes are associated with lower well-being, potentially due to physical fatigue, stress, and reduced time for personal activities. However, no significant correlations were found between Environmental Identity and commuting duration or distance, indicating that the positive impact of Environmental Identity on well-being is not directly related to these commuting factors. These findings underscore the importance of fostering a strong environmental identity as a potential pathway to enhance well-being, particularly for athletes engaged in green commuting practices. The study concludes with recommendations for future research to further explore these relationships and to develop interventions aimed at improving well-being through enhanced environmental identity and sustainable commuting behaviors.