Profiling Motorcycle Delivery Riders: Insights from a Baseline Survey of Riders in Pretoria, South Africa

Abstract

This paper profiled the demographic characteristics, working conditions, road safety behaviours, and crash involvement of 109 motorcycle delivery riders in Pretoria, South Africa, using a quantitative descriptive survey. The findings indicated that the sector was overwhelmingly male at 97% and predominantly young, with 62% of riders aged between 25 and 34 years. Most riders worked extended hours, with nearly 70% reporting more than 55 hours per week, and the majority, at 61%, relied on rented motorcycles, and 31% of them relied on company-owned motorcycles. Guided by the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and the Job Demand-Resources (JDR) model, the results revealed a contrast between high self-reported regulatory compliance and exposure-driven risk. Most riders, 97% of them, reported never riding under the influence of alcohol, running red lights at 83%, or riding without a helmet at 94%. However, time-pressure-related behaviours were evident, including frequent lane changing to overtake, reported sometimes by 39% of riders, mobile phone use while riding, reported always by 12%, and failure to maintain safe following distances, reported always by 11%. Crash involvement in the preceding 12 months was reported by 18% of riders, mainly involving light injuries or minor incidents. The findings highlight the need for targeted policy interventions, improved working conditions, rider training, and motorcycle-inclusive urban infrastructure.