Motorcycle Ownership and Use The Case of Latin America

Despite its rapid growth, little research has been done to understand the factors the lead to increases in motorcycle ownership and use in Latin America. Consequently, public policy has not been developed on sound basis, therefore failing to control and mitigate negative externalities associated with this boom. In this paper we examine this rapid growth to develop hypothesis and identify possible solutions. Through a formal review of the literature, we study the experience of Asian and European cities to attempt to understand the benefits and costs associated with motorcycle ownership and use. We develop concrete hypothesis that we expect to test in subsequent phases of the study involving qualitative in-person interviews and population surveys in six Latin American cities.