Citation

Amin MSR. Balt. J. Road Bridge Eng. 2017; 12(4): 258-263.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Publisher Technika)

DOI

10.3846/bjrbe.2017.32

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Young bicyclists in Montreal are taking voluntary risks such as bicycling without wearing helmet and braking system of bicycle although they are aware of the presence of danger. This article analyses the behavior of young bicyclists taking voluntary risks. The university students in Montreal are considered as the case study since they are more risk takers and bicycle is a popular mode of transport among them. This study reveals that half of respondents didn't use helmets. They were also spontaneously taking risk by high speeding, violating signals, bicycling in mixed traffic, ignoring protective equipment after dark, and avoiding the bicycle designated roads. They were taking voluntary risks based on their attitude, subjective norm and perceive behavioral control. They couldn't perceive the severity of risks since they experienced very common and unremarkable minor injuries. The attractiveness of risk and successfully accomplishing the risk activities encouraged the young bicyclists to repeatedly take voluntary risks. Voluntary risks taking attitude of young bicyclists can be avoided by increasing feelings of vulnerability and disseminating the physical and psychological sufferings of the victims of bicycle-related accidents.

FINDINGS of this study suggest that City of Montreal should consider the behavior of bicyclists particularly the young people to avoid bicycle-related accidents along with other physical measures.

Language: en