Risky Behaviors of Males on Motorcycles
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Risky Behaviors of Males on Motorcycles
Quantitative Data
The dependent variable was the age of the motorcyclist and the independent variable was
the risk level involved in riding the motorcycle. The study was an observational study in which
data was gathered by way of a survey given out to 30 male motorcycle riders. The participants
consisted of 30 males between the ages of 18 to 60 years old. 36.7% of those were between the
ages of 51 to 60 years of age. 20% fell in the 31 to 40 age range and 16.7% in the 22 to 25 age
range. 96.7% were Caucasian and 3.3% were African-American. 43.3% have been riding
motorcycles for more than 16 years. 16.7% have been riding for one to three years or ten to
twelve years. 10% have been riding motorcycles for four to six years or thirteen to fifteen years.
This study revealed many interesting findings. From the study, it appears that younger
males engage in risky behaviors on motorcycles more than older males on motorcycles. A
Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated for the relationship between driving 120 mph or
more and running from law enforcement. A moderately strong positive correlation was found
(r(28)=.592, p<.01), indicating the faster someone drives the more likely they are to run from law
enforcement (see correlation 1in appendix b).
A second Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated for the relationship between
participants’ age and running from law enforcement. A strong negative correlation was found
(r(28)=-.721, p<.01), indicating younger males are more likely to run from law enforcement (see
correlation 2 in appendix b).
A third Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated for the relationship between
participants’ age and racing their motorcycle. A strong negative correlation was found
Risky Behaviors of Males on Motorcycles
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(r(28(=-.720, p<.01), indicating younger males are more likely to race while riding their
motorcycles (see correlation 3 in appendix b).
There is not much research that focuses on males riding motorcycles or even motorcycles
in general. Much of the research focuses on automobiles and automobile accidents. From the
findings of this study it appears that younger males are more likely to engage in risky behaviors
which prove to be dangerous for motorcycle riders and other motor-vehicle drivers.
Implications
There should be education for younger males on motorcycle safety. A defensive driving
course should be required for younger males before getting a motorcycle permit. Younger males
could be required to keep their permit for a year rather than six months. It is possible that this
may not reduce the risky behaviors of young males, but more research must be performed to find
out what works. If males are engaging in risky behaviors in one area of their life, it is quite
possible that there are other areas in which they are engaging in other risky activities.
Practitioners could look for ways of helping males find healthier outlets for their need to engage
in risky activities that could be dangerous. They could also look for signs in adolescents before
they are old enough to ride motorcycles to reduce risky behaviors later on. Many adolescents are
required to take a defensive driving course before they can get their driver’s license. This does
not appear to be adequate education when young adults continue to do stunts, drive at high
speeds, and race on motorcycles. Maybe driver’s ed. should not be taken out of schools. With
more research, solutions to this phenomenon could be made clearer. There are limitations to this
research. This study only included 30 participants in which all but one participant were
Caucasian. The next study should include more equal numbers in the age categories.
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The qualitative study focused on two young males, in their twenties, and their friends that
they ride motorcycles with. That study related to the quantitative study by taking a more
generalized approach to researching risky behaviors of males on motorcycles and to see if there
was a trend with young males engaging in risky behaviors. The qualitative study allowed me to
see that there were risk taking behaviors among that small group of young adult males. Knowing
this information, I was able to develop a survey to further study this phenomenon. My findings
from the quantitative study reaffirmed my findings from the qualitative study and it showed that
many young adult males engage in risk taking while riding motorcycles.
I would recommend for further research in this area to have a larger sample size. I would
also add having better developed questions to discovering the motivation behind their risk taking
behaviors. This would help practitioners understand why, and then they could develop
interventions to decrease the risky behaviors. Through my qualitative research, I have found that
some of the motivation comes from feeling “macho” while riding motorcycles, and also being an
“adrenaline junkie” from driving at high speeds. Our society makes males feel that they must
prove that they are “strong” and “macho”. If they were to appear any other way, they would be
perceived as weak, especially to other males and their peers. Our society’s view of males must
change if there is to be a decrease in risk taking among this population. However, further
research is needed on this phenomenon.
Risky Behaviors of Males on Motorcycles
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Appendix A
Descriptive Statistics Tables
Statistics
Race
N
Valid
Age
Income
MaritalStat
Kids
Yrs.Riding
30
30
30
30
30
30
0
0
0
0
0
0
Mean
1.03
4.33
4.27
1.77
1.97
5.13
Median
1.00
4.50
4.00
2.00
2.00
6.00
Std. Deviation
.183
1.626
1.837
.568
.964
2.097
1
1
1
1
1
1
Missing
Minimum
Race
Cumulative
Frequency
Valid
Percent
Valid Percent
Percent
White
29
96.7
96.7
96.7
Black
1
3.3
3.3
100.0
Total
30
100.0
100.0
Age
Cumulative
Frequency
Valid
Percent
Valid Percent
Percent
18-21
1
3.3
3.3
3.3
22-25
5
16.7
16.7
20.0
26-30
3
10.0
10.0
30.0
31-40
6
20.0
20.0
50.0
41-50
4
13.3
13.3
63.3
51-60
11
36.7
36.7
100.0
Total
30
100.0
100.0
4
Risky Behaviors of Males on Motorcycles
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Income
Cumulative
Frequency
Valid
Percent
Valid Percent
Percent
under $25,000
2
6.7
6.7
6.7
$25,000-$39,999
5
16.7
16.7
23.3
$40,000-$49,999
1
3.3
3.3
26.7
$50,000-$74,999
10
33.3
33.3
60.0
$75,000-$99,999
4
13.3
13.3
73.3
$100,000-$124,999
3
10.0
10.0
83.3
No Answer
5
16.7
16.7
100.0
30
100.0
100.0
Total
MaritalStat
Cumulative
Frequency
Valid
Percent
Valid Percent
Percent
Single
9
30.0
30.0
30.0
Married
19
63.3
63.3
93.3
Divorced
2
6.7
6.7
100.0
30
100.0
100.0
Total
Kids
Cumulative
Frequency
Valid
Percent
Valid Percent
Percent
0
13
43.3
43.3
43.3
1
6
20.0
20.0
63.3
2
10
33.3
33.3
96.7
3
1
3.3
3.3
100.0
30
100.0
100.0
Total
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Risky Behaviors of Males on Motorcycles
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Yrs.Riding
Cumulative
Frequency
Valid
Percent
Valid Percent
Percent
Less than 1 year
1
3.3
3.3
3.3
1-3
5
16.7
16.7
20.0
4-6
3
10.0
10.0
30.0
10-12
5
16.7
16.7
46.7
13-15
3
10.0
10.0
56.7
16 or more
13
43.3
43.3
100.0
Total
30
100.0
100.0
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Risky Behaviors of Males on Motorcycles
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Appendix B
Inferential Statistics Tables
Correlation
#1
@120mph
@120mph
Pearson Correlation
RunCops
.592**
1
Sig. (2-tailed)
.001
N
RunCops
Pearson Correlation
Sig. (2-tailed)
30
30
.592**
1
.001
N
30
30
**. Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed).
Correlation
#2
Age
Age
Pearson Correlation
RunCops
-.721**
1
Sig. (2-tailed)
.000
N
RunCops
Pearson Correlation
30
30
-.721**
1
Sig. (2-tailed)
.000
N
30
30
**. Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed).
Correlation
#3
Age
Age
Pearson Correlation
Racing
1
-.720**
Sig. (2-tailed)
N
Racing
Pearson Correlation
Sig. (2-tailed)
N
.000
30
30
-.720**
1
.000
30
**. Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed).
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