Is there a difference in crash self-reports between electric and conventional motorcycles in Vietnam?

Abstract

Objectives: Understanding the risks associated with electric motorcycles (EMs) is essential for developing effective mobility and safety strategies in an era of increasing motorcycle use and the shift toward electric vehicles. In this research, we investigate the prevalence of crashes among EM and conventional motorcycle (CM) users, as well as factors contributing to the crashes.

Methods: This study uses primary survey data from 972 motorcyclists (481 EM and 491 CM riders) collected in December 2023 in Hanoi, Vietnam. It compares the frequency of risky riding behaviors and crash types between the 2 groups. Additionally, 2 binary logit regression models are applied to identify factors associated with crashes in the past 12 months for EM and CM riders.

Results: The results suggest that the prevalence of respondents who did not experience crashes (56.1%), minor crashes (68.8%), serious crashes with injury (80.9%), and hospitalization (91.1%) for EM riders was significantly higher than that for CM users. CM riders tend to engage in many risky riding behaviors more frequently than EM riders. Higher frequencies of speeding, smoking, and neglecting turn signals were related to greater crash risk in both groups. Red light running was a particular risk factor of crash prevalence for EMs only. Older EM users were more likely to experience a crash, and CM users traveling longer and living in urban districts were found to be linked to higher crash prevalence.

Conclusions: Transitioning from CMs to EMs in Vietnam may offer some safety benefits, such as cautious behavior by EM riders and lower speeds, but there are no major differences in crash prevalence between the groups. Risky behaviors like speeding, smoking, and neglecting turn signals increase crash risks for both; red light running is a particular concern for EM riders and longer travel distances and urban residency for CM users. Targeted interventions, proper training, and licensing are essential, with attention to older EM riders' vulnerabilities and the risks faced by CM users in urban areas and on long trips.