Safety, health and environmental impacts of commercial motorcycles in Sub-Saharan African cities

Abstract

In Sub-Saharan Africa, vulnerable road users make up approxi- mately 50% of all traffic fatalities. Despite the dangers of using motorcycles for transportation, the usage of motorcycles—and more recently, motor tricycles—for both personal and commercial purposes has increased exponentially in most Sub-Saharan African cities. The study sought to study the safety, health and environ- mental impact of commercial motorcycles in Sub-Saharan African cities. Two cities—the national capital and a secondary city—were selected in each of our five study countries: Ghana, Liberia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Using a mixed-methods approach, motor- cycle taxi operators were surveyed and key transport stakeholders were interviewed in these ten cities. In Ghana, where both motor- cycle and motor-tricycle taxis are officially banned but continue to operate, we also surveyed motor-tricycle taxi operators. The results indicated variability in accident occurrence across countries for both minor and major road traffic collisions (RTCs) among motor- cycle/tricycle taxi riders. Apart from Liberia, motorcycle/tricycle taxi unions in our study countries contribute to improving the safety of their riders. Interest in electric bikes is low amongst riders in all five countries, with education and infrastructure provision required to cause a shift from conventional bikes to electric bikes.