Tourist use of mopeds in Queensland

Tourist use of mopeds in Queensland is encouraged by licensing regulations permitting moped riding for car licence holders, who may lack prior knowledge or experience of moped or motorcycle use. Using official crash and registration data, this research examines moped use by tourists, identified as crash-involved riders holding an interstate or overseas licence. Tourists were more likely to be younger, female, in single vehicle crashes, and deemed at fault than Queensland licence holders. Potential safety issues include poor riding skills, inexperience, inattention and lack of protective clothing. Moped rental companies play an important role in managing client crash and injury risks. These risks could also be reduced through introduction of more stringent licensing requirements, though this may be detrimental to moped rental companies as well as to tourist mobility and enjoyment. The discussion considers the relevance of adventure tourism perspectives and theory to the use of mopeds by tourists.

► Little research to date has examined the safety of tourists using mopeds.
► Approximately 10% of reported moped crashes in Queensland in the five years to June 2008 involved tourists.
► Compared with other crashed riders, tourists were younger and more likely female, in single vehicle crashes, and at fault.
► Moped rental companies have an important role to play in managing client safety.
► Moped use by tourists may satisfy adventure tourism objectives.