A research agenda for public policy towards motorized two-wheelers in urban transport

As a mode of urban transportation, motorized two-wheeler vehicles (motorcycles, mopeds, scooters) encompass a great variety of vehicles and they are used for a wide range of purposes. This mode plays different roles: from marginal for a few travelers in most industrialized countries, to the dominant role in many developing countries. However, it is shown that motorcycles/mopeds are also extensively used in some industrialized countries, particularly in moderate climates. However, despite its considerable use, this mode tends to be ignored in transportation organization and planning. Case studies of several cities with very different conditions and incomes, which have extensive use of motorcycle/mopeds, are presented, including low- as well as high-income cities: Hanoi, Bangalore, Beirut, Bogota, Taipei and Rome. It is observed that generally, these vehicles can provide an economical and convenient mode for a large portion of population in cities with inadequate public transit services and traffic congestion in streets. Counterbalancing this convenience and mobility, motorcycle/moped mode presents serious system problems, such as aggravated congestion, undisciplined behavior of its users, much lower safety than other modes, strong negative environmental impacts, unfavorable consequences on city’s livability, and others. The paper presents typical characteristics of this mode and points out the need for formulation of policies which should balance the benefits to users with social and environmental costs, as well as impacts of motorcycles/mopeds on uses of other, more efficient and environmentally-friendly modes, particularly transit, bicycling and walking