Motorcycle crash involvement as a function of self assessed rider style and rider attitudes

Abstract

Approximately 1,500 riders (aged 25 and over) answered a questionnaire that asked about their riding patterns, behaviours, attitudes and crashes. Approximately 30% of the sample had been involved in a crash within the previous five years. As a subset of the data collected, the results reported here relate to 16 survey questions scored using Likert scales that respondents used to describe their riding style and assess their own skills compared to their peers, and their perceived likelihood of being involved in a crash in the future. Differences between those who had crashed previously and those who had not crashed were evident, indicating that the former are more over-confident and "worse" riders. Logistic regression revealed that five of the 16 variables usefully predicted crash involvement. The findings support the use of "insight"-type sessions as part of rider training and/or testing.