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4. Behaviour, Attitudes and Accident
History of Motorcyclists
As part of the overall positive trend seen in
accident statistics, road traffic accidents have
decreased despite a higher total volume of
traffic. Not, however, motorcycle accidents
resulting in injury or death. In Switzerland,
Europe and overseas, their numbers have
remained constant or even increased in past
years.
An analysis of the relevant literature shows a
range of possible explanations for the increasing
accident numbers for motorcyclists. In compa-
rison to car drivers, motorcyclists are relatively
unprotected (no crumple zone) despite the fact
that they travel at the same speed and in the
same road space. This increases their vulnera-
bility in the event of an accident. Also
problematic is that the road system is primarily
organised around the needs of users of four
wheeled motor vehicles. The literature includes
clear formulations about how the equipping of
motorcyclists and the use of road space can be
optimised so that accidents, as well as the risk of
injury and death, can be minimised for this
group of road users.
In summary, the analysis of the literature shows
that, in addition to the fundamental danger
associated with this type of motor vehicle, it is
the specific personal traits of motorcyclists
(behaviour, attitudes) that cause the accident
risk for this group of road users to be even
higher. Only a relatively small group of
motorcyclists use their bikes primarily for
transport purposes, for a much larger group
riding is a hobby.
All cited investigations into the attitudes and
motives of motorcyclists show that those riders
who are prepared to take a high level of risk in
order to enjoy a sense of living life to the fullest
are more in danger of having an accident than
those who have more practical motives for
driving. The situation then becomes particularly
volatile for persons with the tendency to over-
estimate their own abilities, or with a poor self-
image: the result is a compensatory increase in
the level of risk taken when in traffic. An
increased readiness to accept risk may mean that
applicable road traffic laws, particularly speed
limits, are not adhered to. All cited authors come
to the conclusion that this behaviour is relatively
common for motorcyclists and must be rated as
an important risk factor.
The current study presents the results of a
longitudinal investigation of approximately 600
people who were asked on three occasions, over
a time period of about 10 years, about their
motorcycle-specific behaviour, their attitudes
and their accident history. The first two surveys
were carried out in 1998 and 1999 and the third
in 2007. In terms of concept, the study replicates
an English longitudinal study on the experiences
and behaviour of motorcyclists, examining,
among other things, their influence on the inci-
dence of accidents.
The aim of the present study was, on the one
hand, to ascertain the changes in behaviour and
attitudes of motorcyclists over an extended
period of time and, on the other hand, to
determine the correlation between these factors
and the accident risk.
The multitude of attitude and behaviour
18 Zusammenfassung / Résumé / Riassunto / Abstract bfu-Report Nr. 59