GIS Business ISSN: 1430-3663 Vol-15-Issue-5-May -2020 An investigation Study on the level of factors influences among the cyclist participation in Ethiopia Kesatie Legessea1, S.Hasrani2, Mulay Gebretensay3 Mathivanan4 Shiferaw Tekelehaimanot5 1Associate professor, Department of Sports science, Mekelle University, Ethiopia 2Professor, Department of Sports science, Mekelle University, Ethiopia 3 &4Assistant Professor, Department of Sports science, Mekelle University, Ethiopia Corresponding Author: Kesatie Legessea, Department of Sports science, Mekelle University, Ethiopia. Email: [email protected] Abstract: Cycling has been a sport, leisure, and transport pursuit in many countries since the invention of the bicycle in the nineteenth century. Historically it is believed that, cycling was introduced to many African nations by the then colonist. In the view of its historical background cycling sport in Ethiopia was introduced at early period of 20th centuries, many Ethiopians had passion to use bicycle as modern transportations. However, the use of cycling as a choice of transport is being replaced with motorbike and vehicles. There could be different reasons for the declining in the use of cycling as a choice of transport. However, this decline is happening against the backdrop of two important opportunities that should have encouraged the use of cycling. The first one is the nationwide adoption of emission free green economy, which should logically have encouraged cycling for transport instead of motor bikes and vehicles. The second one is the increase in the distribution and coverage of tarmac roads all over the country. The primary data were taken from Federation leaders, administrators, coaches, trainers, senior and junior cyclists, government and non-government bodies, club and association managers, benchmark observations within and outside Ethiopia; and the secondary data were collected from different sources. The qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interview and document analysis. The quantitative data was collected through structured questionnaire from cyclists. The researcher in his recommendations has suggested the possible interventions that need to be made in the Ethiopian cycling. Keywords: Cycling, Cyclists, Associations, Transportation; Participation P a g e | 587 Copyright ⓒ 2020Authors GIS Business ISSN: 1430-3663 Vol-15-Issue-5-May -2020 1: Introduction: Sport is increasingly being utilised as a tool through which people can learn skills and principles thereby contributing to the holistic development of young people particularly6. Coalter describes the most significant impact of sport programmes as ―the development of individual and collective potential‖7:29. Listing the development of individuals and communities, he describes the possible contribution of sport to the following outcomes: improved self-esteem, self-confidence and social skills; commitment to education; reduced social isolation; increased sense of trust, co- operation and communal responsibility and the development of leadership skills and future aspirations. These potential benefits, however, remain a mere possibility as it cannot be assumed that all or any participants will automatically acquire these benefits in all circumstances8. Some outcomes remain only a possibility due to the significance of the parallel social influences and developmental processes that take place as part of normal life 1.1 Background of the study .Cycling has been a sport, leisure, and transport pursuit in many countries since the invention of the bicycle in the nineteenth century. The world cycling sport’s governing body i.e. Union Cyclist International (UCI) was founded on 14 April 1900 by Belgium, the United States, France, Italy, and Switzerland to replace the International Cycling Association, which had been formed in 1892. The first bicycle race is popularly held to have been a 1,200 meter race on the 31 May 1868 at the Parc de Saint-Cloud, Paris. It was won by expatriate Englishman James Moore who rode a wooden bicycle with iron tires. The machine is now on display at the museum in Ely, Cambridge shire, England. The Union Cyclists International (UCI) , the world governing body for cycling and international competitive cycling events, is now leading several categories of bicycle racing including road bicycle racing, time trailing, cyclo-cross, mountain bike racing, track cycling, BMX, and cycle speedway, Para Olympic cycling. The UCI’s mission is to develop cycling all around the world in all its forms (as a competition sport, leisure activity and means of transport), at all levels (from grassroots to elite) and for all groups in society men, women, young , old, disabled and able-bodied in P a g e | 588 Copyright ⓒ 2020Authors GIS Business ISSN: 1430-3663 Vol-15-Issue-5-May -2020 partnership with affiliated Federations and other stakeholders in the family of cycling. To fulfil its mission, the governing body is involved in reviewing the organizational structure and leveraging the skills across the organization. As a result Union Cyclists International (UCI) had restructured itself since 2013 so as to meet the stakeholders’ interests. Historically it is believed that, cycling was introduced to many African nations by the then colonist. Basically it was serving as key means of transportations. As far as competition is concerned, Ivory Coast (Cote Devore) is the first country to be mentioned and it formed cycling committee later transformed to federation level, since 1937. Currently, more than 40 African countries have their own cycling federation. Cycling is an excellent Olympic sport: cycling competitions have been a major part of all the Olympic Games of the modern era. Cycling is one of the sports to award the most medals (54) at the biggest sporting event on the planet. The UCI holds World Championships for each discipline every season. 1.1: Statement of the Problem This study is therefore proposed to understand the important factors that are hindering the development of the cycling sport in Ethiopia therefore it can be rekindling of popularity of cycling sport in Ethiopia and foster the health contribution of the cycling sport in Ethiopia. 1.2: Objectives of the Study To explore the purpose, accessibility, opportunities in considering the cycling as a part of recreational and leisure time activates by Ethiopian cyclist participants from different region in Ethiopia. 1.3: Research questions Sports participation is evaluated at four levels: (a) To identify the Cycling opportunities at school in different regions (b) To evaluate the accessibility of bikes (c) To explore the purpose of cycling P a g e | 589 Copyright ⓒ 2020Authors GIS Business ISSN: 1430-3663 Vol-15-Issue-5-May -2020 1.4: Delimitation of study area The study area of the present study covered the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) the study was focused only on major seven regions such as Addis Abba, Amhara, Oromiya, SPNNR, Dirdewa and Tigray. 2. Reviews of related literature: Cycling in Ethiopia In view historical background cycle sports in Ethiopia was introduced at early period of 20 th centuries, many Ethiopians had passion to use bicycle as modern transportations. Ethiopia is a large country (for comparison, it is about twice the size of France); but it is heavily populated. The towns along the main roads are typically kilometres apart, which mean that you can, in principle, cycle on to the next town if you do not find somewhere to stay. This would logically make cycling a potential transport option to many Ethiopians. Anecdotal evidence indicates that residents of towns of Ethiopia like Mekelle, Bahirdar, Hawasa, Jima, Diredawae.t.c were using bike as first choice of transport. However, the use of cycling as a choice of transport is being replaced with motorbike and vehicles. Despite the current declining popularity cycling among the public, Ethiopia had a considerable historical place in the history of cycling in Africa. For instance in the Melbourne Olympic (1965), the Ethiopian cycling Federation identified some competitive individuals (GeremewDonbeba and MesfinTesfaye) to participate in International Olympic Committee IOC organized competition. It was interesting to know that Ethiopia stood 9th in the mentioned Olympic cycling competitions. Currently, Ethiopia is also showing its potential for the cycling sport. Though very small in number, Ethiopia is also known for its world class runners. Despite this potential however, Ethiopia was unable to participate in any international cycling competition, since the Melbourne Olympic (1965). Tsgabu Gebremariam Girmay, therefore became the first Ethiopian Cyclist to reach Olympics in last 60 Years!, when he participated in the 31st Reio Olympic (2016). P a g e | 590 Copyright ⓒ 2020Authors GIS Business ISSN: 1430-3663 Vol-15-Issue-5-May -2020 3: Methodology In order to gain deep insight into the experiences and perceptions of participants, a qualitative method, founded on a constructivist paradigm, was employed in this exploratory study10 (Denzin & Lincoln, 2011) the participants are 78 cyclist randomly sampled using list-assisted by cycling federation in the respective regions. By applying stratified sampling technique, These regional states are selected such as Tigray, Amhara, Oromya, Diredewa, Addis Ababa and southern nations, nationalities and peoples region (SNNPR) From these regional states, people including enrolled as cyclists in the federation at the age range of cyclist is delimited from 15 to