Description and analysis of aberrant riding behaviors of pedal cyclists, e-bike riders and motorcyclists: Based on a self-report questionnaire

Abstract

The aberrant driving behavior of two-wheelers, primarily powered two-wheelers, is one of the complex problems in urban traffic safety management. This study aims to describe the aberrant riding behaviors of two-wheelers, including pedal cyclists, e-bike riders and motorcyclists, as a whole and to explore the similarities and differences in behavioral characteristics among different types of two-wheelers. Therefore, a general two-wheeler riding behavior questionnaire (TWRBQ) was developed for the current two-wheeler traffic conditions in China, and a survey was conducted in Xi’an to test the construct validity of the questionnaire. Through statistical tests and factor analyses, e-bike riders, who were not given enough attention in real-world safety management, were carefully studied. It was found that the characteristics of aberrant riding behaviors of e-bike riders were closer to those of motorcyclists. Both of them showed a much higher frequency of aberrant riding behaviors compared with cyclists. The result implicated that the behaviors of motorcyclists and e-bike riders need to be regulated more than those of cyclists. In addition, correlations were found between some attributes of riders and aberrant riding behavior factors named errors and violations, among which having a driving license for automobiles had a more significant effect on riders’ self-reported driving errors than having a driving license regardless of vehicle types. The results suggest that safety training is necessary for both motorcyclists and e-bike riders, while the level of the training should be improved. Additionally, more attention should be paid to novice, elderly, intense, and commuting riders.