Safety improvement in motor bikes transport system: "Bodaboda"

Introduction
In the recent years, use of motor bikes popularly known as "Bodaboda" as a means of transport for commuting to work mainly in rural and small towns has increased. It is preferred because it is cheap and can access places where cars cannot. Due to high unemployment the Bodaboda has become a form of employment for the young school leavers. 

Methods
Interview of motor bike riders; traffic police and local leaders; 

Results
The riders are school leavers between 16 years to 25 years. The motorbikes are owned by small scale famers, small business people. 99% have no driving license and no insurance cover. 
The types of accidents recorded are; falls of the bike with riders and passengers; falls of passengers; head on collision with other bikes; head on collision with cars and hitting road users. Common injuries include; death, skull and brain damage, facial damage, breakage of joints; elbows, shoulders, hips, knees and wrists, pelvis, and soft tissue damage of the riders, the passengers or both. 
Causes include; no formal training of riders; no experience, over speeding, overloading as a bikes carries as many as three passengers with loads by the side; use of mobile phones while riding; No wearing of high visibility jackets; non use of protective gears such as helmet and jacket; use of wrong foot wear such as sandals or gumboots; the poor road condition and alcohol influence.

Discussion
Riders avoid police as it is easy to do so and accidents are never reported. There is need for safety improvement through the following; development of a simple safety training manual, training of the bodaboda leaders on safety, organizing short training at buying source, introduction of motor bike safety campaign on all local FM radio stations, use local leaders and introducing basic safety teaching in schools.