Globally, 30% of road traffic deaths involve motorcycles rising to 43% in South-East Asia, where motorcycles are often used as taxis. New research funded by HVT and undertaken by the University of the West of England, with partners Kathmandu Medical College and the Nepal Injury Research Centre, has advanced understanding of motorcycle taxi operations in Nepal. It has also identified potential changes in policy and regulation that could improve safety for riders and passengers.
Roads provide the main mode of transport in Nepal and in Kathmandu valley, where motorcycles constitute 79% of the total vehicle fleet. Nepal does not have any national legislation authorising the development of a motorcycle taxi (MCT) system, but MCT ride-hailing app services started in 2017 in response to consumer demand. A draft two-wheeler directive was prepared by the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport in 2023 and reviewed by the project team.
The research involved an analysis of secondary data from police and media crash reports and a structured literature review on the motorcycle taxi systems in low- and middle-income countries. Qualitative data was also collected from key informant interviews and focus group discussions with stakeholders.
The findings suggest that of the 1.5 million motorcycles in the Kathmandu Valley about 190,000 (12.7%) are used as MCTs. The official published Traffic Police statistics on vehicle crashes do not classify MCTs separately from other motorcycles and scooters, but they do have records of 25 MCT crashes in 23/24, resulting in 34 injuries and 3 deaths. However, if the crash rate of all registered motorcycles was extrapolated to all MCTs it would equate to 973 MCT crashes in 23/24, resulting in 1,324 injuries and 117 deaths.
The review of published research reveals that there is little evidence that MCT systems in low- and middle-income countries are becoming safer. Several studies explored the risk factors for crashes and injuries for MCT riders. Opportunities to address these risks include interventions to improve knowledge of, Â and following, traffic rules, correct helmet use, limiting total ride time and distance, owning a suitable motorcycle, undertaking rider safety training and then practising safe riding behaviour.
The interviews and focus groups identified additional risk factors, such as passengers and riders under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, and riders distracted by mobile phones. Passengers had personal safety concerns and other issues that were highlighted included the poor quality of roads and the need for changes in legislation to make sure that all riders and passengers are insured in case of a crash.
The police currently do not report MCT crashes and injuries separately from other motorcycle crash data, which results in an under-reporting of MCT crashes, injuries and deaths in Nepal. Without subsequent media coverage, the public are ill-informed of the risks. Overall, the review of global good practices highlights the importance of initiatives to increase appropriate helmet use by motorcycle taxi riders and passengers to reduce injuries and deaths. The study highlights that policy or regulatory changes are challenging and requires political will, collaboration and public pressure.
Evidence from the project will be helpful in finalising the regulations outlined in the draft two-wheeler directive by the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport. Stakeholders also agreed to a set of 12 recommendations for operators and regulators to help improve safety in the future.
Read the full report here.