Recreational motorcyclists: the relationships among sensation seeking, risk perception, fear, and risk handling

Abstract

The study investigates the relationships among motorcyclists' sensation seeking, risk perception, fear, and risk handling behaviour. Specifically, it analyses the impacts of sensation seeking and the mediating role of risk perception and fear on risk handling behaviour, which comprises risk reduction and risk rationalization. An online survey was administered to 455 recreational motorcyclists. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to test the validity and reliability of the scales while partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was employed to test the research hypotheses. The findings demonstrate that to handle risk, motorcyclists either reduce it through knowledge, ensure the necessary safety, take precautions, or rationalize it. While sensation seeking negatively affects fear, safety, and knowledge, it affects risk rationalization positively. Risk perception affects rationalization negatively. Neither risk perception nor fear mediated the effect of sensation seeking on risk reduction and risk rationalization.