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Chanyoung Lee, Ph.D., AICP, PTP
Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR)University of South Florida October 2012
Motorcycle
Transportation: A means of traveling. Out of cars, trucks, planes, and trains; motorcycles are just one means of transport
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Florida is a magnet for motorcycle riders
Motorcycle Crashes
In 2010, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) reported that 350 motorcyclist and 33 passengers were killed in traffic crashes
In the same period, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that per vehicle mile traveled(VMT), motorcyclists were about 30 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a motor vehicle traffic crash
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Florida has consistently placed above the national average
0.0%
0.5%
1.0%
1.5%
2.0%
2.5%
3.0%
3.5%
4.0%
4.5%
1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009
Moto
rcycle to Vehicle Crash
es
Year
US Florida
Percent of motorcycle fatalities to all vehicle crash fatalities by year
0.0%
2.0%
4.0%
6.0%
8.0%
10.0%
12.0%
14.0%
16.0%
18.0%
20.0%
1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009
Percent of Moto
rcycle to Vehicle
Fatalities
Year
US Florida
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Motorcycle Rider Crash Trends in Florida by Year
YearMotorcycle
Fatalities
All Traffic
Fatalities
Motorcyclist
Injuries
All Traffic
Injuries
Motorcycles
involved in
Crashes
All Traffic
Crashes
2001 276 3,013 5,101 234,600 5,766 256,169
2002 304 3,143 5,384 229,611 5,972 250,470
2003 365 3,179 5,973 221,639 6,635 243,294
2004 416 3,257 6,558 227,192 7,367 252,902
2005 477 3,533 7,282 233,930 8,147 268,605
2006 550 3,365 8,769 214,914 8,990 256,200
2007 550 3,221 8,955 212,149 9,205 256,206
2008 532 2,983 9,402 199,658 9,618 243,342
2009 402 2,563 8,202 197,214 8,313 235,778
2010 383 2,444 7,411 195,104 7,484 235,461
10%
12% 19% 19% 19%
10%
4%1%4%
13%
20%
29%
22%
12%
Ages 16 to 20 Ages 21 to 24 Ages 25 to 34 Ages 35 to 44 Ages 45 to 54 Ages 55 to 64 Ages 65 orhigher
FDOT Crash Data (05‐09) Endorsed Motorcycle Riders
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16.8%18.5% 18.6%
19.7%
21.6%
9.2% 9.5% 9.5%10.5%
12.4%
2.8% 3.0% 3.0%4.4% 5.0%
0.0%
5.0%
10.0%
15.0%
20.0%
25.0%
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Ages 16 to 20
Ages 21 to 24
Ages 25 to 34
Ages 35 to 44
Ages 45 to 54
Ages 55 to 64
Ages 65 orhigher
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Motorcycle Data Collection and Evaluation
To address the problem in an effective and efficient manner, a comprehensive approach to motorcycle safety is being employed through the Motorcycle Strategic Safety Plan
To measure both the opportunities and levels of improvement, evaluation and data collection mechanisms must be in place
Surveys
To determine the effectiveness of various motorcycle safety programs in Florida. A total of three different surveys, including (1) Florida Motorcyclist Survey 2012, (2) Florida Rider Training Survey 2012, and (3) Florida Driver Survey 2012, are conducted
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Proportion of Motorcyclist Fatalities to Total Traffic Fatalities
2012 Florida Motorcyclist Survey
A total of 1,340 responses, including 800 responses from hotspot counties, were obtained during July and August 2012
(Results can be interpreted with a +/‐ 3 percent margin of error at the 95 percent level of confidence at the statewide level)
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Survey respondents
Experienced motorcycle riders
About half of the survey’s respondents stated that they have more than 20 years of experience and they have ridden more than 50,000 miles
The majority of respondents ride a motorcycle regularly
For many respondents, motorcycle riding is a social and recreational activity
Seven out of ten respondents (76.7 percent) indicated their primary purpose of riding a motorcycle is recreation, while 16.2 percent of respondents indicated that they ride a motorcycle primarily for their commute
The majority of respondents (64.4 percent) reported “the thrill of riding and the freedom of the open road that it offers” as the primary attraction to start riding a motorcycle
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Motorcycle Type
Statewide
Sport 11.1% (149)
Cruiser 35.7% (479)
Touring 24.9% (333)
On/off road 2.5% (34)
Moped 1.2% (16)
Sport‐Touring 9.6% (129)
Standard 8.5% (114)
Trike 2.2% (30)
Other 4.2% (56)
Total 100.0% (1,340)
One fourth of respondents are members of a riding group
Once per
week
A few
times per
month
Once per
month
A few
times per
year
Once per
year or
less
Group Riding37.2%
(134)
33.1%
(119)
14.7%
(53)
11.1%
(40)
3.9%
(14)
Safety Education7.0%
(25)
13.6%
(49)
21.7%
(78)
22.8%
(82)
34.8%
(125)
Practicing and/or
Discussing Techniques
8.4%
(30)
17.5%
(63)
25.6%
(92)
22.8%
(82)
25.6%
(92)
Social Activities26.5%
(95)
33.4%
(120)
21.7%
(78)
12.5%
(45)
5.8%
(21)
Statewide Riding Group Activities
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Did you complete formal motorcycle training, such as the MSF Basic Rider Course, when you obtained your motorcycle endorsement?
Statewide
Yes 64.2% (860)
No 34.3% (460)
I do not have a motorcycle endorsement yet 1.5% (20)
Total 100.0% (1,340)
Have you attended any formal motorcycle safety training after your endorsement?
Statewide
Yes 25.1% (331)
No 74.9% (989)
Total 100.0% (1,320)
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Formal Training
Formal training after
endorsement
No formal training after endorsement
Total
Formal training when endorsed
18.4% (243) 46.7% (617) 65.2%(860)
No formal training whenendorsed
6.7% (88) 28.2% (372) 34.8% (460)
Total 25.1% (331) 74.9% (989) 100.0% (1,320)
Out of 10 motorcyclists in Florida
No MotorcycleEndorsementNo Formal
Training
(Based on Florida crash data)(Based on survey)
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Self‐assessment on Riding Skills and Behavior Compared to Peer Riders
Level of Risk Aversion
Statewide
Risk avoider 59.5% (795)
Risk acceptor 39.0% (521)Risk seeker 1.6% (21)Total 100.0% (1,337)
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General Riding Speed by Level of Risk Aversion
Riding 20 mph or More above Limit (30 days) by Level of Risk Aversion
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Riding within Two Hours of Drinking Alcohol (30 days) by Level of Risk Aversion
Motorcycle Crash Resulting in a Medical Treatment by Level of Risk Aversion
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Respondents were sharply divided on their position towards the reinstatement of Florida’s universal helmet law
Respondents were asked their position towards the possibility of reinstating Florida’s universal helmet law
They were strongly divided on their positions, with 50.4 percent of respondents expressing support for reinstatement and 49.6 percent of respondents expressing opposition
Most commonly stated comments
Drivers who are texting and on their cell phones are a serious threat to motorcyclists.
Drivers should be required to take a motorcycle safety education/awareness course.
Law enforcement in Florida is poor and needs to be improved upon.
There needs to be harsher punishments for motorists who injure or kill motorcyclists. As the laws are now, the fines and punishments are very low.
The cost of motorcycle safety courses is too high.
Elderly drivers in Florida are a serious threat to motorcyclists.
More advertising for motorcycle safety (billboards, TV ads, and electronic signs) is needed.
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Motorcycle Training at FRTP School
A Florida law that became effective on July 1, 2008 mandated training to obtain a motorcycle endorsement
FRTP(Florida Rider Training Program) Survey
A total of 8 FRTP schools with training facilities located in 12 different cities in Florida agreed to assist in administering the survey. The survey was conducted during June and July 2012.
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The course provides specific information on
Strongly agree Agree DisagreeStrongly disagree
Protective Gear 88.8% (444) 10.8% (54) 0.2% (1) 0.2% (1)
Controlling a Motorcycle 90.6% (452) 9.0% (45) 0.1% (1) 0.1% (1)
Riding 79.0% (395) 19.2% (96) 1.6% (8) 0.2% (1)
Crash Avoidance Techniques 89.9% (447) 9.7% (48) 0.4% (2) 0.0% (0)
Dangerous Road Conditions 75.2% (373) 24.0% (119) 0.6% (3) 0.2% (1)
Alcohol Awareness 85.5% (423) 13.7% (68) 0.4% (2) 0.4% (2)
Being Conspicuous and Visible85.1% (421) 14.3% (71) 0.4% (2) 0.2% (1)
Florida Laws 63.2% (313) 31.7% (157) 4.8% (24) 0.2% (1)
Reason for taking the Basic Rider Course
2.2%
4.6%
26.0%
64.0%
3.2%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
Other
I wanted to improve my skills
I have been riding and need a motorcycleendorsement
I am a new rider and want to have amotorcycle endorsement
Court order
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What attracts you to riding a motorcycle?
2.7%
46.3%
16.7%
11.3%
23.1%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
The social image that riding presents toothers
The thrill of riding and the freedom ofthe open road that it offers
I want to ride with friends
I grew up in a motorcycle family
It is an inexpensive means oftransportation
Which of the following was most influential on your decision to start riding a motorcycle?
13.3%
9.3%
4.4%
5.3%
40.4%
3.4%
23.8%
0% 20% 40% 60%
Other
Self
Media
Co-workers
Friends
Grandparent, uncle, aunt, cousin(Extended family)
Parent, brother, sister (Immediatefamily)
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Which of the following best describes you?
ResponseRisk avoider 58.1% (289)Risk acceptor 36.8% (183)Risk seeker 5.0% (25)Total 100.0% (497)
How would you describe your motorcycle riding experience prior to taking the Basic Rider Course?
31.5%
18.1%
34.3%
16.1%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%
Very inexperienced (I have never riddena motorcycle prior to the course)
Somewhat inexperienced
Somewhat experienced
Very experienced
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Riding within Two Hours of Drinking Alcohol by Gender
94.4%
4.2%
1.4%
0.0%
84.3%
8.9%
4.2%
2.6%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Very unlikely
Somewhat unlikely
Somewhat likely
Very likely
Male
Female
Riding 20 mph or More Over the Posted Speed Limit by Gender Different question and finding from 2011
61.1%
20.8%
6.9%
11.1%
52.6%
25.7%
9.6%
11.4%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
Very unlikely
Somewhat unlikely
Somewhat likely
Very likely
Male
Female
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Gender
14.4%
85.6%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
Female
Male
Age
1.8%
7.8%
20.0%
20.6%
24.8%
25.0%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%
65 or older
55-64
45-54
35-44
25-34
18-24
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Lessons Learned
One survey was conducted with motorcyclists who just completed a Basic Rider Course (BRC) to obtain motorcycle endorsement in Florida. The other survey was conducted with randomly selected motorcyclists in Florida based on motorcycle registration information. Both surveys revealed many interesting aspects of motorcyclist’s attitudes and behaviors
Unendorsed Riders
Formal Motorcycle Training
Risk Taking Behaviors
Riders Attitudes
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Contact Information
Contact:
Chanyoung Lee, PhD, AICP, PTP
Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR)
University of South Florida
813.974.5307
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