Motorized two-wheelers: contrasting aspect recurring problems and solutions for more comprehensive urban transportation policies

Powered Two-Wheelers – PTWs are very popular modes both in developed and industrialized Countries, nevertheless, despite their considerable use, they tend to be ignored in transportation organization and planning; as a consequence, poor safety level, environmental concerns, no proper knowledge of riders’ behavior and motivation, along with the lack of comprehensive policies in which two-wheelers are integrated within a balanced mobility system, are recurring problems due to the underestimation of their role in the city traffic. Case studies of London, Hanoi, Rome and Bogotà, which have extensive use of motorcycle/mopeds, are presented, stressing commonalities and peculiarities. The need of a proper assessment of the role of two-wheelers in the urban mobility management is the core of the lesson learned from all the case studies. To overcome such a barrier three main lines of actions are recommended: revision of the decision process, both at institutional and at regulatory levels; technical progress to develop more efficient safety measures and cultural challenge involving decision makers, road users, planners and designers.