Citation

Hunter WW, Stutts JC. Proc. Am. Assoc. Automot. Med. Annu. Conf. 1981; 25: 255-269.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1981, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper reports on the results of two mail questionnaires used to elicit responses from moped riders in North Carolina. In addition, moped accident data for 1979 are analyzed relative to 1975-1978 moped accident data and are compared to the exposure data. Names and addresses of N.C. moped purchasers were obtained from warranty card data supplied by the leading moped manufacturers/distributors in the state. All 4,200 persons identified were mailed an initial survey questionnaire requesting information on rider demographics, weekly moped milage, trip purposes, etc. A smaller sample of 250 volunteers was selected to participate in a follow-up survey that was designed to provide more detailed mileage data by trip purpose and roadway type.

Results of the two surveys show moped riders in North Carolina to be evenly distributed from age 16 into the 60's, with the mean age being 40 and the median 39. There are six times as many males as females, and 90 percent of the riders are white. Riders are also well distributed by education, income group, and city population.

Where primary use is designated, commuting to work is indicated most often, about one-third of the time, with pleasure riding second at 29 percent. When all trip purposes are totaled (not just principal use), shopping/errands constitute the trip purpose most often identified. Slightly over one-fourth ride 10-24 miles per week, while overall about three-fourths ride less than 50 miles per week. Males are associated with higher weekly mileage, as are those who use the moped primarily for commuting to work. Average annual miles per rider are calculated to be about 1,330.

The majority of riders (54 percent) indicate that residential streets are their primary road type, while low (≤45 mph) and high (>45 mph) speed rural roads are the second and third choices. About one-fourth carry passengers occasionally, and about one-fifth sometimes or always wear a helmet when riding.

The following rates are calculated from the follow-up mileage survey: 3.5 falls or accidents per 10,000 miles, 1 reportable accident per 10,000 miles and 43 "near misses" per 10,000 miles.