Publication Details

The analysis was based on the self reported responses to a questionnaire being used in an ongoing study examining the human factors involved in motorcycling safety and behaviour. Participants were recruited using a flyer placed on parked motorcycles in the Adelaide CBD. Approximately 80 participants provided information with the majority giving multiple responses. Age and riding experience of the motorcyclists varied considerably, with the age ranging from 19 to 76 years (mean=49.2, SD=15.4), riding experience from 0.5 to 60 years (mean=19.8, SD=16.6), and average riding each week from 1 to 30 hours (mean=6.2, SD=4.5).

The responses fell into three main categories: car drivers attitudes and their awareness of motorcycles, the condition and maintenance of road infrastructure, and the attitudes and over-confidence of the rider. Age and riding experience were associated with what riders chose as being most important for motorcyclist safety.

The results provide some insight into what motorcyclists consider to be the greatest threat to themselves and suggest some directions for improvement of rider and driver training.