Lessons Learned from Motorcyclist Surveys Rider's Attitudes and Behaviors in Florida

Motorcycles are a means of transportation and one of the fastest-growing hobbies in the United States. Corresponding with a sharp increase in motorcycle registrations in Florida, motorcyclist fatalities and injuries have increased. It is well known that motorcycles are more than a mode of transportation to U.S. motorcyclists. Ownership of a certain motorcycle type is associated with social and behavioral characteristics that could affect how and why people ride motorcycles. Two surveys were conducted: one of motorcycle riders who had just completed the required motorcycle training to obtain their motorcycle endorsement and another of randomly selected Florida motorcyclists. The findings and lessons learned from these two surveys are summarized to gain insight into motorcyclist preferences and behaviors. Analysis with variance tests was performed to investigate the association between different variables, and a two-step cluster analysis was conducted to understand the use of safety helmets and respondents' attitudes toward the reinstatement of a universal helmet law in Florida. Results indicated that motorcyclists started riding for various reasons, but more young people tended to use a motorcycle as an inexpensive mode of transportation. In addition, 28.2% of respondents had never had formal motorcycle training. Most motorcyclists unanimously supported the mandatory training law, regardless of motorcycle type or rider age, gender, and riding experience. However, the riders had mixed opinions about reinstating a universal helmet law in Florida.