ANALYSIS OF MOPED RIDER PERFORMANCE

In the first of two studies, novice and experienced moped riders were compared in performing basic control skills on a test course: accelerating from a stop, lane keeping in a straight line and in a turn, normal and rapid stops in a straight line and in a turn, normal and emergency lane changes, surmounting surface obstacles, and body lean. The novices were experienced bicyclists with no moped/motorcycle riding exposure; the expert riders had extensive moped/motorcycle experience. Several maneuvers evidenced little difference between the two groups: accelerating, normal stops (straight, turn), surface obstacles, and lean. Certain maneuvers showed improvement over time among the novices: lane keeping (straight, turn), rapid stop (straight), and normal and emergency lane changes. Results indicate a great similarity between mopeds and bicycles in basic control skills. Skill transfer is almost instantaneous for several performance variables and complete after a few hours for others. The difference in performance after this stage reflects basic aptitude rather than skill acquisition. Rear braking was a skill not mastered after three hours. The second study videotaped moped operation in highway traffic to identify frequent rider errors. Behaviors with the greatest error rates were grouped as follows: rider preparation, vehicle control, observation, signaling, speed adjustment, and positioning. The greatest single source of critical error was improper observation. The number and types of errors were more characteristic of bicycle riders than moped operators. More caution was used by experienced motor vehicle operators, some of whom had ridden motorcycles; the least cautious moped riders were primarily teenagers with limited motorcycle experience.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Conference held in Washington, D.C., 18-23 May 1980. Also published in HS-029 702, International Motorcycle Safety Conference Proceedings. Volume 3, p 1005-18.
• Corporate Authors:

  Motorcycle Safety Foundation

  780 Elkridge Landing Road
  Linthicum, MD  United States  21090
• Authors:
  • McKnight, A J
  • Weir, D H
• Publication Date: 1980

Media Info

• Pagination: 14 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Driver performance; Drivers; Driving; Handling characteristics; Moped drivers; Mopeds; Motor skills; Performance tests; Personnel performance
• Subject Areas: Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00390508
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-029 704
• Contract Numbers: DOT-HS-8-02033
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: Nov 30 1984 12:00AM