Post-License Safety Interventions For Motorcyclists: A Systematic Literature Review

Yearly, approximately 1.35 million people die in road collisions worldwide, and 28% of these fatalities are among motorcyclists, comprising both riders and passengers. Tailored post-licensed interventions, defined as educational programs, training sessions, or initiatives that are designed to enhance the safety skills and awareness of individuals who have already obtained their motorcycle licenses, have been proposed as solutions to increase motorcyclist safety. This study aims to summarize the evidence on the effectiveness of post-license interventions for the safety of motorcyclists. Effectiveness is defined as the observed changes in collision statistics, violation rates, riders’ performance, and self-reported attitudes. We conducted a systematic literature review using two databases, PubMed and Scopus, with a focus on post-license interventions among licensed motorcyclists. We excluded helmet-use-related interventions. Out of 1,263 studies reviewed, 11 were selected for inclusion. Results were mixed, with five articles finding that a post-license intervention was effective, five papers reporting mixed results, and one study stating the intervention was ineffective. While some interventions were effective in the short term, their impact diminished over time, suggesting the need for refresher sessions to maintain long-term benefits. As for the methodology, theoretical training sessions focused on safety and riding techniques appear to be more effective, while practical training and public campaigns showed mixed results. Our conclusion is that to positively influence motorcycle road safety, post-license interventions should emphasize safety and adherence to road laws over tailored interventions on skill improvement, prioritize long-term effects, and use on-road data.