Improving SafetyImproving and forScooter Moped Motorcycle, Riders Improving Safety for Motorcycle, Scooter and Moped Riders The global fleet of powered two-wheelers (PTWs) is constantly increasing. In many countries, motorcycles, scooters and mopeds play a significant role in mobility, particularly in many of the world’s large cities. As such, PTWs are becoming an important component of the transport system. However, they represent an important challenge for road safety. PTW riders are at far more risk than car drivers per kilometre ridden in terms of fatalities and severe injuries entailing long-term disability. Moreover, they have not benefited from safety improvements at the same pace as car occupants over recent decades. Addressing the issue of PTW safety is thus an essential contribution to the success of the United Nations’ Decade of Action for Road Safety, which aims at halving the expected number of road deaths worldwide by 2020. This report reviews recent trends in powered two-wheeler crashes, the factors contributing to these crashes and their severity. It describes a set of countermeasures targeting user behaviours, the use of protective equipment, the vehicles and the infrastructure. Finally, it discusses motorcycle safety strategies in the context of a safe system. Improving Safety for Motorcycle, Scooter and Moped Riders Research Report Research Report International Transport Forum 2 rue André Pascal 75775 Paris Cedex 16 France T +33 (0)1 45 24 97 10 F +33 (0)1 45 24 13 22 Email : [email protected] (75 2015 021 P1) Web: www.internationaltransportforum.org ISBN 978-92-821-0793-5 2015-09 /Photo credit: Roberto gettyimages Muñoz, 2015 2015-09-02_PTW 21x28_speen11.5.indd 1 02/09/2015 16:55:25 Improving Safety for Motorcycle, Scooter and Moped Riders Research Report This work is published under the responsibility of the Secretary-General of the OECD. The opinions expressed and arguments employed herein do not necessarily reflect the official views of OECD member countries. This document and any map included herein are without prejudice to the status of or sovereignty over any territory, to the delimitation of international frontiers and boundaries and to the name of any territory, city or area. Please cite this publication as: OECD/ITF (2015), Improving Safety for Motorcycle, Scooter and Moped Riders, OECD Publishing, Paris. http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/9789282107942-en ISBN 978-92-82-10793-5 (print) ISBN 978-92-82-10794-2 (PDF) The statistical data for Israel are supplied by and under the responsibility of the relevant Israeli authorities. The use of such data by the OECD is without prejudice to the status of the Golan Heights, East Jerusalem and Israeli settlements in the West Bank under the terms of international law. 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It acts as a strategic think tank with the objective of helping shape the transport policy agenda on a global level and ensuring that it contributes to economic growth, environmental protection, social inclusion and the preservation of human life and well-being. The International Transport Forum organises an Annual Summit of ministers along with leading representatives from industry, civil society and academia. The International Transport Forum was created under a Declaration issued by the Council of Ministers of the ECMT (European Conference of Ministers of Transport) at its Ministerial Session in May 2006 under the legal authority of the Protocol of the ECMT, signed in Brussels on 17 October 1953, and legal instruments of the OECD. The Members of the Forum are: Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China (People’s Republic of), Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom and United States. The International Transport Forum’s Research Centre gathers statistics and conducts co-operative research programmes addressing all modes of transport. Its findings are widely disseminated and support policy making in member countries as well as contributing to the Annual Summit. Further information about the International Transport Forum is available at www.internationaltransportforum.org This document and any map included herein are without prejudice to the status of or sovereignty over any territory, to the delimitation of international frontiers and boundaries and to the name of any territory, city or area. TABLE OF CONTENTS 5 Table of contents Executive summary ................................................................................................................................... 9 Chapter 1. Opportunities and challenges of powered two-wheelers .................................................. 13 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 14 An excessive risk ................................................................................................................................... 16 A systemic approach to powered two-wheeler safety ........................................................................... 19 Background of the Working Group ....................................................................................................... 21 Content of the report ............................................................................................................................. 23 References ............................................................................................................................................. 24 Chapter 2. Powered two-wheeler fleet and usage ................................................................................ 27 The fleet of powered two-wheelers ....................................................................................................... 28 Characteristics of and changes in users of powered two-wheelers ....................................................... 35 Transport and mobility policies for powered two-wheelers .................................................................. 45 Conclusions ........................................................................................................................................... 49 References ............................................................................................................................................. 50 Chapter 3.Powered two-wheeler crash characteristics ....................................................................... 51 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 52 Data issues ............................................................................................................................................. 52 Relative crash risk for motorcyclists ..................................................................................................... 54 Characteristics of PTW fatal crashes ..................................................................................................... 57 Serious injuries among motorcyclists .................................................................................................... 63 Crash scenarios ...................................................................................................................................... 65 Conclusions ........................................................................................................................................... 67 References ............................................................................................................................................. 69 Chapter 4. Factors contributing to powered two-wheeler crashes and their severity ...................... 73 PTW rider-related crash factors ............................................................................................................ 74 Perception and awareness ...................................................................................................................... 79 The road environment ..........................................................................................................................