Lawrenson, D and Bellaby, P 2001, 'Approaches to the risk of riding motorcycles: reflections on the problem of reconciling statistical risk assessment and motorcyclists' own reasons for riding' , Sociological Review, 49 (3) , pp. 368-388.

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Abstract

The manners in which motorcyclists and road safety experts assess motorcycling diverge widely. Experts view it as an extremely risky venture and imply that only the foolhardy would engage in it. Our own survey research appears to support this view. And yet, motorcyclists disagree with this assessment and construct their own theory of risk. One in which blame is laid at the door of the car culture and accidents something that can be overcome by road skills. The view of the experts concern with their risk taking becomes redefined as the attempted imposition of social regulation. We attempt to show how these different approaches to risk can be theoretically reconciled. We argue that motorcycling accidents need to be seen as real physical events, the understanding of which is socially contested.

Item Type:	Article
Themes:	Subjects / Themes > G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure Subjects / Themes > H Social Sciences > HE Transportation and Communications Subjects outside of the University Themes
Schools:	Colleges and Schools > College of Arts & Social Sciences > School of Humanities, Languages & Social Sciences > Centre for Social Research (CSR. Salford) Colleges and Schools > College of Arts & Social Sciences Colleges and Schools > College of Arts & Social Sciences > School of Humanities, Languages & Social Sciences
Journal or Publication Title:	Sociological Review
Publisher:	Wiley Blackwell Publishing
Refereed:	Yes
ISSN:	00380261
Depositing User:	H Kenna
Date Deposited:	13 Jan 2009 16:47
Last Modified:	27 Sep 2011 12:30
URI:	http://usir.salford.ac.uk/id/eprint/1082

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