Assessing hazard prediction and risk calibration skills in experienced and novice e-scooter riders

Abstract

Abstract Less experienced e-scooter riders often exhibit risky riding behaviours. Despite this, no studies have examined how riders calibrate risk, respond to hazardous situations, and the impact of riding experience on these skills. To address this, this study assessed hazard prediction and risk calibration in e-scooter riders via bespoke video-based tests featuring real e-scooter footage filmed from the rider’s perspective. The first experiment assessed the ability of e-scooter riders to predict hazardous riding scenarios. The second experiment evaluated their proneness to engage in risky riding situations. The results indicated that increased riding experience did not improve riders’ hazard prediction skills or reduced their proneness to engage in risky riding. In fact, a higher riding frequency was linked to an increased tendency to engage in risky behaviour in certain scenarios. The results highlight that the typically short duration of e-scooter trips may limit riders’ exposure to a variety of hazards, hindering their ability to develop effective risk calibration skills. The observed high propensity to engage in risky riding scenarios, combined with average hazard prediction scores, emphasizes the need for targeted rider training focused on vigilance and risk awareness.