With the rise of electric motorcycles (EMs) in Vietnam, an important question arises: Are EMs actually safer than conventional motorcycles (CMs)? The latest study by UQ|UP’s Dorina Pojani and her colleagues in Vietnam, based on survey data from 972 motorcyclists in Hanoi, explores this issue by comparing crash prevalence and risky riding behaviours between EM and CM users. Here’s what they found: EM users engage in risky behaviours less frequently than their CM counterparts. They are less likely to speed, ignore turn signals, or smoke while riding. These behaviours could contribute to lower injury severity when crashes occur. However, EMs don’t show a major difference in crash prevalence compared to CMs. In fact, red light running is a unique risk factor for EM riders. Meanwhile, CM users who take longer trips or live in urban districts are at a higher risk of crashing. No matter what type of motorcycle one rides, certain behaviours increase crash risks: Speeding—a leading cause of accidents for both EM and CM users; Ignoring turn signals—reduces predictability on the road; Smoking while riding—a distraction that can lead to loss of control.
To cite:
Nguyen, M. H., Nguyen-Phuoc, D. Q., Pojani, D., Oviedo-Trespalacios, O., Nguyen, T. C., Ha, T. T., … An, M. N. (2025). Is there a difference in crash self-reports between electric and conventional motorcycles in Vietnam? Traffic Injury Prevention, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1080/15389588.2025.2453629