Motorcycle public transport services in Kenya

Abstract

The study was conducted in Kitale Municipality to determine the level of compliance with road safety regulations among public motorcycle transport operators. The research study had three objectives. The first objective was to find out the characteristics of public motorcycle operators second, determine their level of awareness of government policy and regulations and the third to examine their level of compliance to road safety regulations. The study was informed by two theories namely; rational choice theory and systems theory. The study was conducted using descriptive survey, employing both quantitative and qualitative approaches to source, process and analyze data. Data was collected using a set of questionnaire for public motorcycle operators and interview guide for key informants (see annexes I, II & III). Quantitative data was analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) while qualitative data was analyzed using thematic categorization and narrations. The findings on characteristics of operators showed that majority of them were males below 39 years of age. More than half were primary school leavers, married and had dependent children. On level of awareness of government policy and regulations, less than half knew the required license needed for one to ride a motorcycle, majority could not mention the specific government Act regulating their operations. On the level of compliance with road safety regulations, over 80% of them acquired riding skills informally from their fellow operators, less than half were tested by traffic police in driving and issued with licenses. On riding habits most operators over speed and overloaded their bikes. The use of head lights and protective gears among operators was low. One key recommendation from the study is the need to enforce the existing government rules and regulations without fail by government agencies. In addition, proper training and testing of operators before issuing them with licenses will help reduce road accidents.