VOLUNTARY RISK TAKING BY YOUNG BICYCLISTS: A CASE STUDY OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AT MONTREAL

Amin, Shohel Reza · 2017 · Crossref

DOI: 10.3846/bjrbe.2017.32

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Summary

This study investigates the voluntary risk-taking behaviors of young bicyclists in Montreal, Canada, focusing on university students as a representative case study. Despite municipal initiatives such as expanded bicycle infrastructure and the BIXI sharing program, bicycle-related accidents remain significant. The research addresses why young cyclists engage in hazardous behaviors—such as riding without helmets, speeding, and violating traffic signals—even when aware of potential dangers. The study aims to understand the psychological and behavioral drivers behind these choices to inform more effective safety interventions beyond physical infrastructure improvements. The methodology combined a questionnaire survey conducted via cohort group discussions with 200 randomly selected university students in Montreal during February–April 2015, and an analysis of injury data from the Trauma Centre of Montreal General Hospital (2012–2014). The respondent demographic consisted of 62% males and 34% females, with most cycling for recreation or exercise. The study utilized frameworks such as the Theory of Planned Behavior and Prospect Theory to analyze decision-making processes regarding safety equipment and traffic compliance. Key findings reveal that more than half of the respondents did not wear helmets, citing reasons such as short trip duration, discomfort, and cost. Behavioral analysis indicates that risk-taking is driven by attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control rather than rational cost-benefit calculations. Respondents underestimated risk severity due to prevalent minor injuries and found risk-taking activities, such as speeding (50% rode at 20–28 km/h) and riding in mixed traffic, exciting. Additionally, less than half of cyclists used required lighting or reflective materials after dark, often relying on streetlights for visibility, which contributed to a disproportionately high number of accidents occurring at night. The study also noted that many cyclists avoided designated roads due to overcrowding or inconvenience, preferring mixed traffic despite the higher collision risk. The significance of this research lies in its conclusion that physical measures and helmet laws alone are insufficient to mitigate bicycle accidents among young people. The authors argue that individual behavior, shaped by personal characteristics, peer pressure, and risk perception, is critical. They recommend that cities like Montreal implement educational programs, counseling, and strategies to increase feelings of vulnerability among cyclists, alongside legal enforcement. By addressing the non-rational, experience-based perceptions of risk and leveraging social norms, authorities can more effectively reduce voluntary risk-taking and improve cyclist safety.

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• cyclist safety