Motorcyclists, motorcycle stakeholders and driverless vehicle stakeholders: how do their positions align?

Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs) are a major concern when introducing Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs) to the roads. An underrepresented VRU in particular are Powered Two Wheelers. To ascertain how the current views, plans and aspirations regarding CAVs and PTWs currently align, focus groups of PTW riders, PTW Stakeholders and CAV Stakeholders were carried out. Topics of discussion included: (1) what is needed from CAVs for PTW rider safety; (2) what inspires trust in CAVs; (3) views on advanced technology; (4) current and proposed plans for implementation; and (5) current capabilities regarding PTWs. Thematic analysis was used to assess the transcripts, with the addition of analysis for misalignments between groups. There were three major themes which were (1) concerns; (2) unknowns; and (3) desires. No one group completely aligned with another. PTW riders and PTW Stakeholders had the most aligned views, with the major misalignment being acceptance of technology. CAV and PTW stakeholders showed a reliance on advanced technology (especially vehicle to vehicle communication) which PTW riders were resistant to. The greatest misalignments were between CAV Stakeholders and PTW riders, and CAV Stakeholders and PTW Stakeholders. Given the nature of these misalignments, the results could potentially lead to oversights in both CAV developments and legislation regarding PTW designs.