Understanding the Use of Powered Two-Wheelers for Commuting: Case Study of Melbourne, Australia

Australia’s cities are facing increasing concerns over traffic congestion and pollution which has encouraged an interest in sustainable transport choices. Most of the focus of this concern has been on cars, public transport and active transport; in contrast, the role of powered two-wheelers (PTW, including motorcycles and scooters) in commuting has received relatively little attention. Little is known about who uses PTW for city-based commuting. This paper presents the results of an intercept survey of PTW riders in the city centre of Melbourne in September 2012. Some 346 riders responded to an intercept survey which recorded key demographics of PTW commuters, their trip origin and journey purpose, vehicle ownership, use of safety gear and reasons for PTW use. On average PTW commuters tend to be highly educated with high incomes. Sport bikes and conventional bikes were the most popular PTW vehicles; motor scooters were used more by women, short-distance commuters and higher-income earners. Safety gear was less likely to be used by women and motor scooter riders. Survey respondents highly valued the benefits of PTW commuting such as free parking in the city centre, travel time savings and parking near their destination.

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• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper was sponsored by TRB committee ANF30 Motorcycles and Mopeds.
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Rose, Geoffrey
  • Delbosc, Alexa
• Conference:
  • Transportation Research Board 93rd Annual Meeting
  • Location: Washington DC
  • Date: 2014-1-12 to 2014-1-16
• Date: 2014

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 10p
• Monograph Title: TRB 93rd Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Commuters; Demographics; Socioeconomic factors; Travel time; Two wheeled vehicles
• Geographic Terms: Melbourne (Australia)
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01518161
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 14-2423
• Files: PRP, TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Mar 12 2014 9:33AM