THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE COMMERCIAL USE OF MOTOR BIKE ON

YOUTH IN SIERRA LEONE:

A CASE STUDY OF BO TOWN, SOUTHERN PROVINCE.

BY

LANSANA JUANA

NJALA UNIVERSITY, SIERRA LEONE

JULY, 2008

THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE COMMERCIAL USE OF MOTOR BIKE ON

YOUTH IN SIERRA LEONE:

A CASE STUDY OF BO TOWN, SOUTHERN PROVINCE.

BY LANSANA JUANA

NJALA UNIVERSITY, SIERRA LEONE

A D I S S E R T A T I O N S U B M I T T E D T O T H E D E P A R T M E N T O F G E O G R A P H Y A N D D E V E L O P M E N T S T U D I E S ,

N J A L A U N I V E R S I T Y , S I E R R A L E O N E I N P A R T I A L F U L F I L M E N T O F T H E R E Q U I R E M E N T S F O R T H E

D E G R E E O F B A C H E L O R O F A R T S I N E D U C A T I O N

D E P A R T M E N T O F G E O G R A P H Y F A C U L T Y O F E D U C A T I O N N J A L A U N I V E R S I T Y S I E R R A L E O N E

DED ICAT ION

This work is dedicated to all my sponsors in the Netherlands who made it possible for me to

go through academic education in Sierra Leone.

i

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would first of all thank the Almighty and Merciful God, in giving me the good health,

strength and courage to successfully carryout this academic work to completion.

I wish to thank all the members of the Lanloesau Foundation in the Netherlands, especially

Aukje ter Host, and all the Dutch people for their philanthropist support in letting me go

through University education in this post war country.

I owe a debt of gratitude to my intending wife from the Netherlands, Ginny Mooy, for

crossing the sea and stay with me in this poorest country in the world to give me the

courage, advice, and love for me to complete this work. Also for editing and her financial

support for the completion of this dissertation.

I would like to thank Mr. James B.M. Vincent, former Manager, and Program Officer East,

Conciliation Resources Sierra Leone for exposing me to the world of self reliance.

I owe a deep expression of regret to all those who have helped me, in one way or the

other, but have not been mentioned.

Finally, I say thank you to my supervisor, Mr. Joe M. Amara, all the lecturers in the Institute

of Geography, and Development Studies, Njala University for their noble efforts in

impacting their knowledge onto me.

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CERT IF ICAT ION

I certify that this work was undertaken by Mr. Lansana Juana of the department Institute of

Geography and Development Studies, Njala University, Sierra Leone.

Signature:……………………….. Date:…………….. Supervisor Mr. Joe M. Amara, Dept. Inst. of Geo. and Rural Dev. Studies, Njala University, Sierra Leone.

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TABLE OF CONTENT S

PAGE NO.

Dedication i Acknowledgement ii Certificate iii Table of Contents iv List of Figures vi List of Tables vii List of Plates viii List of Terms ix Abstract xi Chapter One – Introduction 1.0 Background 1 1.1 Statement of the Problem 3 1.2 Aims & Objectives 3 1.3 Rationale and Justification 4 1.4 General Assumptions 5 1.5 Limitations and Constraints 5 Chapter Two – Literature Review 2.0 Introduction 6 2.1 Relevant Socio-Economic Impact on Transportation 6 2.2 Influence of Socio-Economic Factors 7 Chapter Three – Research Methodology 3.0 Introduction 10 3.1 Study Area 10 3.2 Data Collection 13 3.3 Data Collection Techniques 13 3.4 Sample Frame, Size and Selection 14 3.5 Data Presentation and Analysis 15 Chapter Four – Presentation of Data 4.0 Introduction 16 4.1 Demographic Information of the Riders 16 4.2 Education and Literacy 18 4.3 Categories of Commercial Motor Bike Riders 21

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4.4 Passengers 28 4.5 Economic Impact on the Riders 32 Chapter Five – Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation 5.0 Summary 41 5.1 Conclusion 45 5.2 Recommendation 46 Bibliography 47 Appendix I 48 Appendix II 51

v

L I ST OF F IGURES

Figure Title Page

Figure 1 Map of Sierra Leone showing Bo town Southern Province 11

Figure 2 Map of Bo town showing Motor Bike Parks 12

Figure 3 Demographic characteristics of passengers 29

Figure 4 Occupational Classification of Passengers 29

Figure 5 Reason for using motor bikes by Passengers 30

Figure 6 Reason for using motor bikes by Passengers 31

Figure 7 Frequency of usage of motor bikes by passengers 31

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L I ST OF TABLES

Table Title Page

Table 1 Age of Commercial Motor Bike Riders 16

Table 2 Level of Education of Commercial Motor Bike Riders 19

Table 3 School attendance of the male population in Bo Town 20

Table 4 Level of education of the male population of Bo Town 20

Table 5 Classification of various ways of economic exploitation of motor bikes 22

Table 6 Classification of reasons to become commercial motor bike riders 23

Table 7 Classification of commercial motor bike riders with license 27

Table 8 Classification of commercial motor bike riders with practical training 27

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L I ST OF PLATES

Plate Title Page

Plate 1 A group of commercial motor bike riders at their packing ground

waiting for passengers

35

Plate 2 Researcher collecting field data 36

Plate 3 Commercial Motor Bike Rider looking out for passengers at the Fenton

Road Roundabout 37

Plate 4 Commercial Motor Bike Riders in action at Fenton Road, in the center

of Bo Town. 38

Plate 5 Bike Riders on the lookout for passengers among business people,

close to the Fenton Road Market 39

Plate 6 Bike Rider negotiates with passenger 40

viii

L I ST OF TERMS

B.R.D.A. Bike Riders Development Association

B.R.A. Bike Riders Association

Bike riding Travel by being carried on a (motor) bike

Bojon Street Street at the center of Bo Town

Census A periodic count of the population

Civil war A war between factions in the same country

Commercial motor bike Motor bike riding for money

Commercial farming Farming for self feeding, and for market purpose

DVD Digital Video Disc

EIS Employment Information Service

ECOWAS Economic Community of West African State

Employment Engagement in commercial activities

Ex-combatant Someone who had fought

Formal sector Official part of a country‟s economy

Formal economy Official economy of registered activities

Gbagi - Gbagi Riding motor bike for someone temporally

Gbo-chiefdom Chiefdom in the west of Kakua Chiefdom

Highway A major road for any form of motor transport

Investment Money that is invested with an expectation of profit

Informal sector Unofficial economic exchange, not registered for tax

Information A message received and understood

Illiterate Not able to read or write

JSS Junior Secondary School

Kakua chiefdom Chiefdom where Bo Town is located

License A legal document giving official permission to do

something

Lawlessness Defiance of the law

Motor bike Tow-wheeled vehicle driving by engine

Micro-enterprises Small organizations created for business ventures

Migrant Traveller who moves from one region or country to

another

Micro entrepreneurs Owner operators of small unregistered business

Non-Governmental Organization Organization outside of government policies

National youth policy Policy to guide youth activities

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National economy A country or nation‟s economy

Pre-primary school Before Primary school

Primary school A school for young children; usually the first 6 or 8 grades

Population The people who inhabit a territory or state

Passengers A traveller riding in or on a vehicle (a boat or bus or bike

or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it

Road transport Authority Public cooperation in charge of road affairs

Reckless Marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences

RTA Road Transport Act

SSS Senior Secondary School

SLP Sierra Leone Police

Statistician Specialist in statistics

Self employed Those who work on their own account or in family

business

Sergeant Intermediate Rank in the military

Subsistence Farming Farming for self feeding

SSL Statistics Sierra Leone

Transport Convey from one place to another

Telecommunication Systems used in transmitting messages over a distance

electronically

Travelers A person who changes location

Traffic Vehicle, bicycle, motor bike, human being moving along a

route

Traffic Wardens Trained personnel to control vehicle, bicycle, motor bike,

human being moving along a route

Unemployment Without work

United Nations World Organization seeking world peace, and stability

Urban Relating to or concerned with a city or densely

populated area

Vulnerable Susceptible to attack/ Capable of being wounded or hurt

Wage-workers Working for regular and fixed payment

Youth Age category” between” 18-35 in Sierra Leone

Y-junction A place where roads joint or unit in the form of „Y‟ in Bo.

x

ABSTRACT

The use of commercial motor bikes in Sierra Leone has a great socio-economic impact

on youths engaged in this economic activity. The main aim of this research is to give a

quantitative and constructive description of this socio-economic impact on youth in

Sierra Leone, focusing on Bo Town as a case study. The objective is to identify both the

social and economic impact of the use of commercial motor bikes in terms of trade,

empowerment, connectivity, and employment. Another objective is to investigate the

role of the Sierra Leonean government in developing policies with regard to safety

issues for riders and passengers. Primary data were collected through surveys,

interviews with a closed questionnaire and open interviews by using an interview

schedule strategy for all categories of respondents. The balloting technique in all of the

four selected commercial motor bike parks were used by writing the names of bike

riders on pieces of paper and have them pick out a paper from the bag. Three

categories of respondents were identified, the commercial motor bike riders, Sierra

Leone Traffic Police and Traffic Wardens, and the passengers respectively. A sample

size of seventy (70) people was interviewed. The data was presented and analyzed

through simple statistic methods. The findings of this study reveal that mostly young

people are engaged in commercial motor bike riding. Also, many of them are exploited

by those that have the means of buy and own motor bike. Most of them lack proper

training, and do not have licenses. Passengers that frequently use commercial motor

bike are the energetic young people. People that stay far away from the center of Bo

Town uses motor bike in order to speed up their movement, mostly workers, students

and business people. From the findings, the following recommendations could be made:

to improve on the commercial exploitation of motor bikes as a public means of

transportation, the riders need to at least undergo basic literacy, in order to minimize the

difficulties in reading road signs and speedometers. The riders need to acquire proper

training before taking up the profession.

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CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION

1.0 BACKGROUND

This study investigates the social and economic impact of the commercial use of motor

bikes in Sierra Leone, with Bo town as a case study.

Sierra Leone is made up of, predominantly, rural communities. The infrastructural

facilities, including road conditions, are poor. The Civil War, which lasted from 1991 until

2002, caused a further collapse of already poor living conditions, poor infrastructure,

and poor basic facilities and has lead to social disintegration and economic instability.

Although the situation in the country is improving, development still leaves out large

groups of people, who lack the skills and means to make a meaningful economic

contribution to society.

In post-war Sierra Leone, development in economic and social exchange runs through

village-, town- and city boundaries. Bad road conditions within and connecting these

towns, villages and cities hamper further development, while the demand for

transportation is still rising. The necessity for people to meet social and economic needs

often results to an increase in transport demand (Fadare and Salami, 2004). From the

record of Raft (1918), it is evident that man has been involved in the transportation of

foods, materials, information and other services from prehistoric times.

Since 1999, the use of motor bikes as a means of public transportation has become

increasingly popular. People favor different routes to accomplish their varying

movement demands (Canoe, 1972). Motor bikes have less trouble than other types of

vehicles to travel on poor roads and rough terrain and they can circumvent traffic jams,

which decreases travel time significantly. Therefore, travelers increasingly choose motor

bikes as their preferred means of transport, which increases the demand for the

1

commercial exploitation of motor bikes as a means for public transportation. Research

has revealed that the demand for public transport is dependent on and influenced by the

following individual socio-economic characteristics:

1. The desire to make a particular trip by public transport, and

2. The characteristics and nature of public transport modes that are available

(Thomson, 1969).

Motor bikes in Sierra Leone are mainly exploited by affluent people and companies that

employ youths. Youths form a vulnerable group in society because of their marginalized

position on the job market. The motor bike exploitation seems to meet two demands: the

demand for transportation and the demand for jobs among youths. Next to advantages

though, the commercial exploitation of motor bikes has disadvantages as well: it is a

grave concern to both underdeveloped and developing countries. In many parts of the

world, such as Sierra Leone, it appears to be a response strategy to the threats posed by

inadequate transportation means and inadequate infrastructure, making other parts of the

country otherwise inaccessible.

With the rise in the demand for commercial motor bikes in Sierra Leone, the sector is

growing so rapidly, that it now creates problems on different levels. In this research, I will

focus on Bo Town, because my preliminary research has shown that Bo Town is one of

the main problem areas.

2

1.1 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Transportation has been, and still is, the most pressing issue in the development of Sierra

Leone, even though the government, by all means, is trying to ease the problem of

transportation. In its attempt to do that, some concerned citizens have also come together

to come up with solutions for faster means of transportation and with solutions to improve

safety and reliability of existing means of transportation, like the motor bikes. The use of

motor bikes for public transportation is typical in all parts of Sierra Leone, but predominant

in the provinces and big towns including Bo town.

The sector is prone to lots of problems with regard to the riders, passengers, and even the

traffic. These include:

An increase in school dropouts among youth,

Low earning power of the riders,

Little knowledge of traffic rules/lack of license,

Health and safety risks due to the high rate of accidents.

1.2 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

GENERAL OBJECTIVES

The intention of this study is to investigate the major social and economic impacts of the

commercial use of motor bikes in Sierra Leone, with Bo town as a case study, in

identifying the main factors, by making generalizations, drawing conclusions and making

recommendations for future development for this type of transportation.

3

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE

The main objective of this study is to identify the positive and negative sides of the

sector for all parties involved, through an examination of the development in the sector

in the last five years:

Identify the social impact of the commercial use of motor bikes in terms of trade,

empowerment and connectivity.

Investigate the economic impact of the commercial use of motor bikes in

considering trade, employment.

Investigate the role of the Sierra Leonean government in developing policies with

regard to safety issues for riders and passengers.

Make recommendations and suggestions for the effective and safe use of motor

bikes as a means of public transport.

1.3 RATIONALE/JUSTIFICATION

This research will serve as an independent indicator for the impact of or contributions

made by commercial motor bike riders in improving transportation as a tool for

empowerment of youths in social and economic activities in Bo town. This can be

assessed in terms of empowerment facilities and income level of the riders. The results

of this research will also serve as a pointer to the relationship among riders,

passengers, and the traffic unit, Sierra Leone Police, and the traffic warding in terms of

either confirming or disproving the feasibility and solid benefits of developing a strong

base of these sector. This can happen by way of expanding or promoting the riders

expanding their activities. The success or failure of this kind of transport sector largely

depends on the kind of rules guiding the activities. The study will also serve as base-line

information for policy makers, non-governmental organizations, planner and

researchers.

4

The findings in this research can be of vital importance to other researchers who may

like to under-take a similar study related to the topic. It is also considered necessary to

analyze the activities of commercial motor bike riding in order to measure their

contributions towards the society and to identify the problems that may be inimical to

their success.

The findings in this study will also lead to the provision of alternative measures, to the

use of commercial motor bikes in Bo Town, Sierra Leone. This can be very useful to the

nation as a whole as the findings in this study can be used as a base to bring about

changes in policy that will more adequately guide the activity.

1.4 GENERAL ASSUMPTION

Bo town has a large rural setting which is similar to other areas in the provinces.

Therefore, although the case study in this research is limited to Bo, I assume that the

results obtained can be artistically extrapolated to other parts of the country, with a

similar make up.

1.5 LIMITATION AND CONSTRAINTS

The research was limited to Bo town, due to the following constraints:

Time factor: The limited timeframe to conduct this research was too narrow to include

other areas. The collection of data and information was therefore limited to a

manageable size, in accordance with the given timeframe.

Budget factor: The research required the implementation of questionnaires and

visitations to various areas within and around the area under study. As transport is

relatively expensive in Sierra Leone, financial constraints influenced the sample size

and the processing of materials.

5

CHAPTER TWO L ITERATURE REV IEW

2.0 INTRODUCTION

In this chapter, issues relating to the use of motor bikes is explored. Emphasis is placed on

the literature about the use of motor bikes, in relation to the socio-economic impact on the

riders.

2.1 RELEVANT SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT ON TRANSPORTATION

Research has revealed that, the demand for public transport is dependent on two major

factors: (a) the desire to make a particular trip at all and the drive to do so by public

transport, and (b) possibly the characteristics and nature of public transport modes that are

available (Thomson, 1969). These two factors are influenced by individual socio-economic

characteristics. In essence, choice of mode or the demand for public transport is

influenced by sex, education, age, employment, income, type of work, cost of trips, and the

nature and characteristics of available modes (Fadare, 1998; Hazayyin and El-Hawary,

1984)

Detailed investigation on transport reveals that the necessity for people to meet social and

economic needs often results in increasing transport demand (Fadare and Salami, 2004).

From the record of Raft (1918), it is evident that man has been involved in the

transportation of human beings, foods, materials, information and other services from

prehistoric times. Canoe (1992) argued that by doing so, people have used favorable

means of transport, and routes to accomplish varying movement demands. Orski (1995)

however noted that urban transportation problems started with increasing urbanization,

population and industrial development. Arising from this, the demand for public transport in

Bo Town became inevitably high with the increase in population during and right after the

war, when people from the rural areas migrated to the township to seek refuge and

6

economic opportunity. The demands for public transport are particularly high because not

many households can afford their own (private) means of transportation.

Numerous researches in developing countries where people are more dependent on motor

bikes as a means of public transportation, show that when the rates of traffic congestion

and pollution are high, the accident range increases (Huntersville 1994).

2.2 INFLUENCE OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS

According to the World Health Organization Traffic Safety Fact, socio-economic status is

well known to be a risk factor for injury generally, and road traffic injury is no exception

(2004: 10, 42, 66-68). The same study argues that individuals from disadvantaged socio-

economic groups or living in poorer areas are at greatest risk of being killed or injured as a

result of road traffic crash, even in high-income countries. Another research, conducted by

the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in Washington D.C. (2004), revealed

that the choice of transport in developing countries is often influenced by socio-economic

factors, especially income.

Academic research identifies several indicators that are widely used to assess the income

level of the riders. Allen (1990) defined age as the laugh of the persons of thing that has

existed or is likely to exist. Smith (1999) measured age by estimating or obtaining the

reported number of years a person has spent in existence. The United Nations, in its youth

report of 2007, classifies as youths: people between the ages of 15 and 24 years.

According to the report, today‟s youth generations are the best educated in history.

Education creates awareness among youths, leading to ambition for improvement of their

social and economic status through labor. At the same time, a high level of education

gives an impetus to diversification of the labor market. Youths are increasingly determined

to improve their socio-economic status, which is directly related to creativity in the creation

of new types of jobs and the development of new job sectors.

7

The sociological definition of education is deliberate formal transfer of knowledge, skill

and value from one person to another. It is an institution for socialization, the social

process by which a culture heritage was transmitted from one generation to the other

(Palmer et al 1994). Occupation has been defined as the work an individual performs

either on full time basis or on part time basis (Kandeh 1991). A person can be employed

by another person to perform specific job or through self employment (ibid.).

Many different factors contribute to a untimely ending of one‟s educational career. In

poor countries young people‟s inability to continue their education largely relates to their

need to earn an income. Although many people find a living through employment and

cash earning, the formal labor market in Africa is still small, and remains inaccessible to

youths that lack adequate skills, experience and strong social networks.

The World Youth Report (2007) indicates that because of the limited amount of

vacancies on the job market, the number of unemployed youth in all of Africa grew with

34 per cent between 1995 and 2005. As a result, many young people are forced to

undertake jobs that are characterized by poor conditions, such as low income, instable

employment, and dangerous work. Consequently, despite the fact that they are working,

many young people in African countries experience poverty. Many African governments

try to tackle this problem with special youth policies, aiming to reduce unemployment

among youths. Next to that, youths in sub-Saharan Africa are increasingly taking their

development into their own hands; the recent African Youth Charter is a testament to

their effort.

Today‟s African youths are more and more involved in voluntary activities that promote

both the development of their own potential and that of their communities. What is

certain is that young people undergo a variety of new experiences; they take on new

roles and responsibilities and make decisions that ultimately influence the course of

their lives (Lloyd, 2006). The reverberations of the global economic recession in the

1980s and of the economic and financial crises of the late 1990s and the first part of the

present decade are still being felt, and are undermining opportunities for youth

8

development. Young people face harrowing difficulties entering and staying in the labor

market; many of them are unable to find jobs in the formal sector and languish in the

informal economy. Others are employed but remain poor, because of inadequate

remuneration; employers often discriminate against youth, World Youth Report (2007).

9

CHAPTER THREE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.0 INTRODUCTION

This chapter presents the procedures employed in collecting, organizing, and analyzing

data in the study area.

3.1 STUDY AREA

The study was limited to Bo Town. The town is the second largest city in Sierra Leone

and the provincial, and district headquarters of the southern province, Bo district

respectively. The southern province comprises of four districts: Bo, Moyamba, Bonthe

and Pujehun.

The town serves as chiefdom headquarters for the Kakua chiefdom, and is bounded by:

the Baoma chiefdom in the east, the Gbo chiefdom in the west, the Tikonko chiefdom in

the southwest and the Selenga chiefdom in the north.

Bo Town is the main commercial and administrative center of the southern province,

and comprises of an ethnically diverse population: the town hosts most of the country‟s

ethnic groups. The town is known for its religious tolerance: large groups of both

Muslims and Christians inhabit the town. It has a total population of 174,394 (Census

Report, 2004).

Agriculture is the primary economic activity within the township. Next to agriculture, the

town is a center for other economic activities, like trade (large scale trading companies

for the consumers market, as well as intra-company trading and petty trading), a

relatively large entertainment sector, and commercial motor bike riding. Commercial

motor bike riding enhances a daily flow of traffic within the township. It also provides the

rapid flow of transport to and from the surrounding towns and villages in conveying food,

people, and other items to Bo town.

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10

10

11

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3.2 DATA COLLECTION

PRIMARY DATA

Primary data presented in this study were collected through the following methods:

surveys, interviews with a closed questionnaire and open interviews by using an

interview schedule strategy for all categories of respondents. The schedule methods

were applied, to be able to solicit information from the respondents without delaying

their time. The quantitative data were used to identify trends, the qualitative methods

were used to get in depth insight in the problems in the sector.

SECONDARY DATA

Secondary data were collected from academic literature, research reports, relevant

internet sources, journals and magazines. The researcher also collected secondary

data through reports from the Sierra Leone Police/Traffic Wardens, Sierra Leone Road

Transport Authority, non-governmental organizations and, finally, the motor bike riders.

The secondary data were collected to obtain a clear picture on the commercial use of

motor bikes in Bo Town.

3.3 DATA COLLECTION TECHNIQUES

The researcher used the balloting technique in all of the four selected commercial motor

bike parks, to select by writing the names of the bike riders on pieces of paper and has

them pick out a paper from the bag.

Among the passengers, the researcher interviewed passengers who came to the

various motor bike parks, using a commercial motor bike.

For the traffic police and traffic wardens, the researcher went to the police station in Bo

Town, and also interviewed traffic police and traffic wardens on duty.

13

3.4 SAMPLE FRAME, SIZE AND SELECTION

SAMPLE FRAME

The research population in this study includes: commercial motor bike riders, the traffic

unit, the Sierra Leone Police (SLP), traffic wardens and passengers.

SIZE

A total of seventy (70) people were interviewed:

From the four communities, twenty (20) persons were selected to represent the

view of passengers on the activities. Five (5) respondents from the New London

Park, five (5) respondents from the Shellmingo Park, five (5) respondents from

the Y-Junction Park and five (5) respondents from the ECOWAS (central) Park.

Four (4) bike parks were selected, from which forty (40) commercial bike riders

were selected to represent the view of the bike riders on the activities.

Ten (10) traffic police officers and traffic wardens were selected in order to

identify the relationship between the riders and the traffic police/wardens on

government policies guiding commercial motor bike riding, including traffic rules

and regulations.

SELECTION

A total of four sections were selected in the study area: one from New London in the

southern part of Bo, Shellmingo in the eastern part, Y-junction in the northern part, and

the ECOWAS Park in Bojon Street, in the centre of Bo Town. The researcher selected

these areas in order to determine the impact of the use of commercial motor bikes in the

township. The inclusion of these areas and the corresponding communities is based on

their strategic locations in terms of giving access and exit to and from the township.

14

3.5 DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

The presentation and the analysis of the collected data are presented in chapter four of

this dissertation. The data are presented through simple statistical techniques, like

percentages, weighted average, bar charts and pie charts.

15

CHAPTER FOUR PRESENTATION OF DATA

4.0 INTRODUCTION

The main aim of this chapter is to present and discuss the research findings as they

relate to the research problem and objectives.

4.1 DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION OF THE RIDERS

Here, questions on the age of the motor bike riders were the objective of this section,

and was presented in table 1.

Table 1: Age of Commercial Motor Bike Riders

Age No. %

21 – 23 9 22,5

24 – 26 10 25

27 – 29 9 22,5

30 – 32 7 17,5

33 - > 5 12,5

Total 40 100

Source: Researcher‟s field data, 2008

Motor bike riding as economic activity is mainly conducted by persons in the age

category 21-29 years. Table 1 above shows that the bike riders fall in this age category.

None of the respondents in this research was younger than 21, and there were no

respondents older than 34. The (weighted) average age of the bike riders is 27, 1.

Hence, bike riding seems to be an attractive job opportunity for the youth category.

In the whole of Sierra Leone the working population (ages 15 – 64) consists of

2.621.773 people. Thirty two percent (32%) of the working population is not

economically active. The number of unemployed in the economic active population is

63.262 (3, 54%). The complete labor force (the economic active population) consists of

1.785.662 people (Census 2004).

16

The majority of the economically active population (over 80%) is in the age group 15 - 44

years. The age band 20 - 39 carries over half of the economically unemployed (ibid.).

The war has caused large migration waves from rural to urban areas, as people sought

refuge and security. After the ending of the war, many refugees stayed in the urban areas

to find better economic opportunities. As a result of these migration waves, and insufficient

provision for economic activities, there is wide spread poverty and unemployment in the

urban areas, since the Sierra Leonean population is largely agriculturally orientated, and

chances of employment in the agrarian sector is fairly slim in urban areas.

Bo Town was one of the main areas of attraction for refugees and rural migrants, seeking

opportunity and a safe haven. Although unemployment in Bo District is slightly lower than

the national average, unemployment in Bo Town is prevalent. Especially under

uneducated youth and youth with only pre-Primary Education or Primary Education as

Highest Level Completed unemployment rates are relatively high (ibid.).

“The unemployed comprise all persons above a specified age who are:

1. without work i.e. were not in paid employment or self employment

2. currently available for work i.e. were available for paid employment during the

reference period

3. Seeking work, i.e. had taken specific steps in a specified recent period to seek paid

employment or self employment.” (The Thirteenth International Conference of Labor

Statisticians (1982))

The self-employed are the economically active population engaged in economic

activities for themselves, for personal gain or to further a career (Census 2004). As

discussed, many bike riders are self-employed, and although they are mostly active in

the informal economic sector, it is a good indication of the level of innovation, and

entrepreneurship within the labor force. The prevalence of self-employment also

determines the size of the private sector. Private sector growth is an important indicator

of economic development in a free market economy (ibid.). Thus, if self-employment as

17

bike riders can be formalized, this economic activity does have the potential of making

a considerable contribution to the formal economy of the nation as a whole.

Especially for the youth category, under which unemployment is most prevalent in Bo

Town (and Sierra Leone as a whole for that matter), commercial bike riding provides

good job opportunities.

The conventional definition of the youth population is all persons in the age category 15-

24 years (United Nations definition of youth). For this research however, the youth

category is set to the category 22-29 years, to fit the research setting and to make

comparison possible with national trends and demographics. It must be noted that the

youth category in Sierra Leone is officially set to the category 18-35, in the National

Youth Policy. In this research, however, this youth policy is considered as problematic

and as a possible reason for employment, since irresponsibility and immaturity are

cultural values attached to the youth category. These features are important reasons

why youths shy away from taking on responsibilities resulting in unemployment, on one

hand, and on the other hand are denied responsibility by the older generation(s).

4.2 EDUCATION AND LITERACY

The level of education plays an important role in the choice of economic activities. The

level of education and the availability of jobs on the desired educational level and in the

preferred sector are important determinants for employment and unemployment. Bo

Town has relatively little opportunities for persons with pre-primary, primary and JSS

education as the highest educational level completed, besides in the agricultural sector,

and trade. Commercial bike riding is an important potential source of income for the

lower educated in the community.

18

Table 2: Level of Education of Commercial Motor Bike Riders

Level of Education No. %

Primary School 5 13

Junior Secondary School 12 30

Senior Secondary School 8 20

Vocational/Technical 10 25

College/University - -

No formal education 5 13

Total 40 100

Source: Researcher‟s field data, 2008

Table 2 indicates that 13% of the commercial motor bike riders acquired primary

education, 50% has acquired secondary education, of which 30% up to junior

Secondary School level (JSS 1-3) and 20% up to senior Secondary School level (SSS

1-3 in completion of the full 6 years). 30% has followed vocational/technical education

and 15% has not gone through formal education. None of the respondents has obtained

college or university level. Table 6 reveals that 63% of the commercial bike riders have

not continued education after the completion of secondary school, which slims down

their possibilities of employment. Relating (lack of) education to the problems of

unemployment in the youth category, this might explain why bike riding is especially

popular among youths.

“The traditional definition of literacy is the acquisition of knowledge and skills to read

write and understand numbers. Education on the other hand is much broader as it

involves literacy, knowledge of basic science, civic education, occupational skills, and a

set of healthy values and attitudes which enable people to cope with problems of life.”

(Census 2004, Education and Literacy: 1)

The national literacy rate is 39%. The literacy rate in Bo Town (with 64%) is much

higher than the national average. The literacy rate among men in Bo Town (74%) is

significantly higher than the literacy rate among women.

19

The percentage of the educated male population (currently in school/partly educated in

the past) in Bo Town is 80, 4% (see table 3 below). The percentage of the uneducated

male population, therefore, is 19, 6%.

Table 3: School attendance of the male population in Bo Town

Attending school/left school 80,4%

Never attended school 19,6%

Total 100%

Source: National Population Census Sierra Leone, 2004

The level of education is an important marker for development. Bo Town has about

2.000 individuals with completion of tertiary level courses up to post-graduate level as

their highest level of education. The level of education among the male population in Bo

Town is specified in table 4 below.

Table 4: Level of education of the male population of Bo Town

Level of Education No. % Pre-Primary and/or Primary Education as Highest Level Completed 47.787 34,08% JSS Education as Highest Level Completed 20.997 14,98% SSS Education as Highest Level Completed 13.992 9,98% Vocational/Commercial Completion up to HND as Highest Level Completed by 2004 3.412 2,43% TC/HTC as Highest Level Completed by 2004 1.968 1,40% Technicians Training up to HND Level as Highest Level Completed by 2004 418 0,30% Nursing Qualifications up to SRN as Highest Level Completed by 2004 1.786 1,27% Other education 49.853 35,56% Total 140.213 100% Source: National Population Census Sierra Leone, 2004

The level of education plays an important role in the choice of economic activities. The

level of education and the availability of jobs on the desired educational level and in the

preferred sector are important determinants for employment and unemployment. Bo

Town has relatively little opportunities for persons with pre-primary, primary and JSS

20

education as the highest educational level completed, besides in the agricultural sector,

and trade. Commercial bike riding is an important potential source of income for the

lower educated in the community.

4.3 CATEGORIES OF COMMERCIAL MOTOR BIKE RIDERS

ACQUISITION OF MOTOR BIKE

Commercial bike riding largely falls under the informal sector. Most bike riders are riding

for a third-party, that owns the motor bike but have not entered into formal labor

relationships with their rider. In popular language the various ways of employment in the

commercial bike riding sector are (see table 9):

„Bike-owner‟: The owner rides his own bike, and keeps the earnings. Typically, these

riders in most cases don‟t register their enterprise and do not pay taxes.

„Master-bike‟: The owner employs one or more riders, typically in an informal

agreement, and not on regular wage-earning bases. In most cases, either the owner

or rider(s) register their enterprise or activities as a formal economic activity and do

not pay taxes. The rider rides the bike six (6) days per week without collecting

income. The revenue of these six (6) days is paid to the bike owner. One (1) day per

week, the rider can ride the motor bike for his own revenue.

„Gbagi Gbagi‟: A second rider to the bike owner or the master bike rider. The „gbagi

gbagi man‟ finds his work on fixed locations (motor bike parks) in the area and takes

over riding for the first riders on hourly basis. Either the „gbagi gbagi man‟ gets to

keep a percentage of the earnings made that same day, or the „gbagi gbagi man‟

earns the right to exploit the motor bike for a few hours on a fixed day in the week (in

case of „master-bike‟). In all cases, neither the owner nor rider(s) register their

enterprise or activities as a formal economic activity and do not pay taxes.

Without exception, the bikes are legally owned. None of the commercially exploited

motor bikes are acquired through theft.

21

Table 5: Classification of various ways of economic exploitation of motor bikes

Type of economic exploitation No. %

„Bike owner' (Self-owned) 8 20

„Master Bike' (Riding for someone else) 9 22,5

„Gbagi Gbagi' (Second riders) 23 57,5

Total 40 100

Source: Researcher‟s field data, 2008

Table 5 shows that 20% of commercial motor bike riders ride their own bikes and get to

keep the full revenue. Some of these bike owners acquire their motor bikes through a

monthly „ride and pay‟ loan‟; they pay a percentage of their earnings as down payments

for the motor bike. Twenty two percent (22.5%) of the bike riders ride for others in an

informal employment relationship, and 57, 5% of them ride on „hustle‟ bases („Gbagi

Gbagi‟); they hang out at the Bike Parks in the hope to find a few hours of work per day.

The 2004 Population and Housing Census reveals that 64,9% of the total labor force of

Sierra Leone was economically active in the agriculture, hunting and forestry industry

(i.e. crop farming, livestock, poultry, hunting, and forestry) with Crop farming alone

accounting for 64.0 % of the total labor force (ibid.). The second highest share of the

labor force is economically active in the Trade and Repairs industry (14.3 %). The

Census further shows a weak industrial base, and the predominantly agrarian nature of

the economy.

REASONS FOR BECOMING COMMERCIAL MOTOR BIKE RIDERS

This table 6 highlights the reasons of becoming bike riders as a form of employment is

another area of interest of the researcher, and questions related to the reasons are

presented in table 6.0, to be able to point out the why.

22

Table 6: Classification of reasons to become commercial motor bike riders

Reasons for choosing motor bike riding as a profession

No. %

Good income possibilities 20 50

Basic income for basic necessities 15 38

Preferred profession 3 8

Don‟t know 2 5

Total 40 100

Source: Researcher‟s field data, 2008

Bike riding as an economic activity is popular because little knowledge and skills are

required and little to no investment has to be made. A large category of otherwise

unemployable youths (50%) are convinced that this particular economic activity has the

best income possibilities for them (see table 6 above). A fairly large group of riders

(38%) is not satisfied with the income, but sees it as the only way to earn their basic

income. Only a small percentage (8%) of the bike riders, engage in this economic

activity because they see it as a preferred means of earning their living. A few bike

riders (5%) engage in commercial riding without specific reasons.

Because of the informal nature of the exploitation of motor bike riding, although it

provides job opportunities and helps to speed up time spent on transport in trade, and

daily activities in the region, it does not significantly contribute to the formal economic

development of the nation as a whole.

A national economy can be divided in two different sectors: the formal and the informal

sectors. Under the formal sector fall the wage earners in formal enterprises and self-

employed workers in the formal economy. The Informal sector is a source of

employment growth and one of the survival strategies adopted by the unemployed,

Youth, migrants to urban areas, wage earners, especially in the face of declining real

wages (ibid.). The informal sector is made up of micro-enterprises. Most of the activities

in the informal sector require limited investment; “…the sector comprises mainly of non-

capitalistic activity whereby the family usually owns the business and provides the

means of production; there is the tendency for the enterprises to operate outside the

23

institutional and legal framework, do not generally pay taxes, no deliberate effort to

comply with minimum wage legislation, employment hardly through the official

Employment Information Services (EIS)” (ibid: 82).

In this research the informal sector as defined by the SSL (Statistics Sierra Leone) are

maintained. The SSL classifies workers in the informal sector into three broad groups:

1. Micro entrepreneurs (owner operators of small unregistered businesses);

2. Self employed (those who work on their own account or in family businesses);

3. Wage workers (these include the employees of small unregistered businesses,

casual workers who do not have a single employer, home workers who work on sub-

contract for informal or formal enterprises).

The majority of the population of Sierra Leone lives in the rural areas with little or no

other employment opportunities except in agriculture and trade. Entry into small scale

trade is easy because it does not require any administrative or technical skills, and it is

better than unemployment in an economy where there is no social security benefit for

unemployment and where there are little or no other employment opportunities, even if

the rewards are little (Census 2004). The commercial exploitation of motor bikes

interconnects remote areas, thereby creating trade routes, increasing trade possibilities

and connections. Especially the trade in perishable goods benefits greatly from the

commercial exploitation of motor bikes, because of the increased speed of transport.

The structure of an economy is determined by the proportion of the population engaged

in agriculture, industry and services. In poorly developed economies, a large share of

the total population will be economically active in the agrarian sector, ranging from

subsistence farming to commercial farming. As an economy develops, it is expected

that the distribution of the economically active population will shift from the agriculture

sector to other sectors such as industry, service, manufacturing, telecommunication,

trade, education and healthcare. To determine the economic structure of a country or

region, an analysis has to be made of the labor force by industry (Census 2004).

“The share of wage employment in non-agricultural employment is an important

indicator of employment opportunities especially for a developing country like Sierra

24

Leone because it gives a lot of information about the nature of employment

opportunities. When people migrate into urban areas particularly the capital city for

employment purposes, they are likely to look for wage employment in industry” (Census

2004). Here in Sierra Leone especially Bo town, commercial motor bike riding is the

dominant means of employment among the youth.

SAFETY / HEALTH HAZARDS

A safe work environment is a work place where, to the highest degree, workers well

being (physical, mental and social) are promoted and maintained (Census 2004). “All

possible efforts are made to prevent workers ill health caused by the working conditions,

to protect workers in their employment from factors adverse to their health, and to place

and keep workers in work environments that are adapted to their individual physiological

and psychological conditions while also promoting and maintaining a work environment

that is free of harassment” (Census 2004, Employment and Labor: 59).

An occupational accident is a dangerous occurrence in an industry, which next to the

possible loss of life of the employee, or disability to earn a full wage from the job, can

cause unpopularity of the job sector among potential employees and in the case of

motor bike riding, it hampers the growth of the industry, since third parties are involved

and are equally exposed to the safety and health hazards of the occupation.

Many sources (both academic and non-academic) have commented on the fact that

men are more adventurous and as such easily tend to find survival mechanisms. This

probably is an important reason why no women are represented in this economic

activity. However, from interviews in the field, it has become clear that women mostly

shy away from the commercial bike riding as a profession because of the safety and

health risks involved. According to the Sierra Leone Police (SLP), traffic wardens, the

Bike Riders Association of Bo Town (BRA), and the bike riders themselves, the high

rate of accidents in commercial bike riding, however, are mostly due to poor training and

25

high illiteracy rates among the riders. With proper training and the ability to read road

signs and interpret safety procedures, the risk of accidents is greatly reduced.

“In most cases, accidents are due to failure by either the supervisor or persons involved

to follow the safety procedures laid down” (Census 2004). In this sense, the government

has a great role to play in the reduction of the safety and health risks involved in motor

bike riding as a profession and the commercial exploitation of bike riding for passengers

and other traffickers.

The 2007 the government policies guiding the commercial motor bike riders determines

that: riding a motorcycle without driving license is forbidden (Section 77 of RTA), riding

without crash helmet is forbidden (Section 79(1) of RTA (5) 2007, persons above 21

years are not allowed to sit in front of the riders (section 114(1) RTA 2007).

Although government policies with regard to bike riding are in place, this research

maintains that the government is largely failing in its task to create a healthy and safe

(work) environment. According to the traffic police and traffic wardens, the greatest risk

factor lies in the lack of theoretical and practical training of commercial riders. According

to their estimates, only 10% of the commercial motor bike riders observe traffic rules. In

addition to that, a great majority of them is not licensed, mostly because they do not

understand the importance of licensing, but even if they do understand the importance,

in most cases, the riders cannot afford the costs of obtaining a license. Table 7 shows

that only 25% of the commercial motor bike riders have a license, 63% of them do not

have a license, and 13% is not even interested in obtaining a license. The Sergeant of

the traffic Police revealed that if they catch commercial riders without a license, they run

the risk of being sentenced to jail.

26

Table 7: Classification of commercial motor bike riders with license

Licensed/Unlicensed No. %

With license 10 25

Without license 30 75

Total 40 100

Source: Researcher‟s field data, 2008

Commercial Bike Riders obtain a license after completion of a theoretical traffic

examination, in which they learn to interpret road signs and traffic rules. Those riders

with licenses indicate that they know some basic traffic rules. Those without license

don‟t have any knowledge of the basic traffic rules. The riders without license are

therefore more prone to reckless riding, with a high potential of accidents.

The traffic police and traffic wardens are convinced that one of the main contributing

factors for health and safety risks in commercial bike riding is the high illiteracy level

among riders. Because of their illiteracy, they are presumably incapable of interpreting

traffic signs and speedometers.

Table 8: Classification of commercial motor bike riders with practical training

Level of training No. %

Formally trained 10 25

Untrained 25 63

Partially trained 5 13

Total 40 100

Source: Researcher‟s field data, 2008

Next to a lack of theoretical knowledge of traffic rules, many riders lack practical skills to

operate a motor bike. Table 8 shows that only 25% of the riders has gone through

formal practical training, in which they are taught how to operate a motor bike by a

professional instructor. 13% of the riders is partially trained, they received some training

from experienced colleagues. A shocking 63% of the commercial riders has never

undergone any formal or informal training. In most cases, they taught themselves how

to ride, usually by riding a few circles on a deserted field.

27

The traffic police and wardens indicate that they have made some progress in creating

a safer (work) environment with regard to commercial bike riding. They revealed that

75% of the commercial riders now have crash helmets, and 25% of them are now

licensed. Practical training, however, is not a prerequisite for the obtainment of a

license, while the traffic police and wardens indicate lack of experience as the major

reason for the high accident rate in commercial bike riding. They do however indicate

that the high rate of ex-combatants among the riders is also an important cause for

reckless riding and lawlessness.

4.4 PASSENGERS

As mentioned, the commercial exploitation of motor bikes interconnects remote areas,

thereby creating trade routes, increasing trade possibilities and connections. The

increased speed of transport makes motor bikes as a means of public transport more

and more attractive among travelers, trying to avoid the increasing amount of traffic

jams and impossibilities in the area. Commercial bike riding therefore, next to creating

job opportunity for vulnerable groups in society, contributes to the growth of the local

consumers‟ economy.

The commercial motor bikes are mostly used as a means of public transportation by

people between the ages of 20 to 35. According to chart 1, the people that are mostly

interested in the use of commercial motor bikes are clustered around the age category

of 30 - 35 years. Due to the strength they have. They indicated that they preferred the

use of commercial motor bikes over other means of transportation, because one, it

decreases travel time faster and two, motor bikes can bring them closer to the place of

destiny than other means of transportation.

28

Figure 3: Demographic characteristics of passengers

Source: Researcher‟s field data, 2008 (N=20)

Figure 3 shows that the use of commercial bikes is not as popular in the age categories

of 15 - 20 years and 40 - 60 years. Probably, the physical strength of the passengers,

corresponding to their age, is (partly) responsible for the choice of means of transport.

Figure 3 however shows that commercial motor bikes are mainly used for business

purposes.

Figure 4: Occupational Classification of Passengers.

Source: Researcher‟s field data, 2008 (N=20)

Age category

Percentage

29

Figure 4 indicates that workers and traders form 45% of the main users of commercial

motor bikes. Occupation is largely related to age, which gives a better explanation for

the use of commercial motor bikes as a preferred means of transportation among the

different age categories. Students make up 45% of the passengers, because they are

strong enough to use motor bike. It must be noted that many young school pupils go to

school on foot, while older students usually have more money to pay for other means of

transportation.

Figure 5: Reason for using motor bikes by Passengers

Source: Researcher‟s field data, 2008 (N=20)

Figure 5 shows that 35% of the passengers resides in the Y-Junction area, north of the

town, 25% resides in the New London area, west of Bo, 25% resides in the Shellmingo

area, east of the town, and 15% resides in the Central Area, around Bojon Street.

According to these findings, those that are residing outside the center of the town, tend

to use commercial motor bikes more often than those that are staying in the center of

the town. This indicates that economic activities mainly take place around the center of

the town, which is over congested and difficult to reach with other means of

transportation. It can therefore be said that motor bikes have an important function in

the local consumers‟ economy.

30

LOCATION OF PASSENGERS

In Bo town, most of the passengers are aerially distributed, some of them are them

some of them are staying at the periphery of the town, and others at the center. The

various locations are presented in figure 6 below.

Figure 6: Location classification of passengers

Source: Researcher‟s field data, 2008 (N=20)

Figure 7 shows that 55% of the passengers use commercial motor bikes as a means of

transportation on a daily basis, 20% uses a commercial motor bike more times per

week, 15% uses a commercial motor bike more times per month and 10% uses a

commercial motor bike less frequent. Commercial bikes apparently make an important

contribution to the transport sector in Bo Town.

Figure 7: Frequency of usage of motor bikes by passengers

Source: Researcher‟s field data, 2008 (N=20)

31

Considering all the positive effects of the commercial exploitation of motor bikes as a

means of public transportation, like enhanced traffic speed, the linkage between remote

and otherwise unreachable areas, job opportunity and flow of traffic in the town center,

and between the town center and the periphery, it can be maintained that this economic

activity could be a main contributing factor to both the area and the nation, provided that

the sector is capable of turning around informal labor into formal employment, and the

growth of the sector will not be hampered by health and safety risks that make the

profession unattractive to prospective employees (especially women, who form a

particular vulnerable group in the Sierra Leonean job market) and an unattractive

means of transportation for travelers.

4.5 ECONOMIC IMPACT ON THE RIDERS

Motor bike riding as economic activity is mainly conducted by persons in the age

category 21-29 years (see table 1 „Age of Commercial Motor Bike Riders‟). The level of

education and the availability of jobs on the desired educational level in the preferred

sector are important determinants for employment and unemployment. Bo Town has

relatively little opportunities for persons with pre-primary, primary and JSS education as

the highest educational level completed, besides in the agricultural sector, and trade.

Commercial bike riding is an important potential source of income for the lower

educated in the community. As discussed in the paragraph Reasons for becoming

commercial bike riders (and presented in table 6 „Reasons for choosing motor bike

riding as a profession‟), commercial motor bike riding is the dominant means of

employment among the youth population in Bo Town. Bike riding as an economic

activity is popular because little knowledge and skills are required and little to no

investment has to be made. A large category of otherwise unemployable youths (50%)

are convinced that this particular economic activity has the best income possibilities for

them (see table 6 above).

Most of the commercial bike riders use the money to pay their school fees, and some

use the money to pay for the school fees for their children.

32

None of the respondents considers bike riding as a career for life. Thirty-five of the

respondents (88%) got engaged in this economic activity in the hope that they would be

able to save money from their earnings, to invest in further education. The former

executive chairman of the Bike Riders Development Association (B.R.D.A.) paid for the

continuation of senior secondary school education (SSS) for two bike riders in 2007, as

a reward for performances. This type of benefit is an important motivating factor for

riders to stay in the industry and to attain a high profile in the Bike Riders Development

Association.

When they start out as motor bike riders, they barely earn enough to provide for their

basic necessities. They struggle to even make enough money for their feeding. This is

largely caused by the type of employment under which they enter into the profession.

Most bike riders enter into the profession through „gbagi gbagi‟ arrangements; they don‟t

own a motorbike they can exploit on commercial bases, and they don‟t have a specific

employer or employer(s) that can provide them with regular work hours and a steady

income. When they become more experienced, they learn the tricks of the trade and

they get into contact with influential people, who end up employing them, be it in an

informal labor relationship. According to the bike riders, this is an important reason why

they see the profession as attractive: it gets them into contact with prominent people in

society. Ninety percent of the employed riders claim that their employers are top

business men, government, and non-governmental organization workers in the

township.

As the time they spend in the profession progresses, they get used to earning money on

a regular basis. Their needs shift from providing for their basic necessities and further

education, to the acquisition of „luxury goods‟, like mp3-players, DVD-players,

expensive clothing and so on. They explained that motor bike riding certainly cannot

make them „rich overnight‟, but it at least provides them with the security to be able to

afford their own feeding. Motor bike riding thus enhances their economic status, and

gives them economic independence. Considering the large number of disadvantaged

youths in Bo Town, motor bike riding has a significant economic impact on the individual

33

lives of the riders in the industry. Because Sierra Leone is a class-conscious society,

economic status automatically enhances social status. Especially among the weakest

group in the profession, as pointed out by the traffic police and traffic wardens, former

combatants, an enhancement in economic status and social status is important for self-

worth and a full reintegration into postwar society.

INCOME AND ACCUMULATION OF BENEFITS

Motor bike riders are not able to earn bulk money, or to earn a steady income. Their

income is dependent on the demand for transport, weather and their own ability to

acquire equipment for work (that is, the motor bike). Most of the riders earn the major

part of their weekly salary on Sunday‟s, after riding for their employer for six (6) days.

Daily, they have the possibility to create some income for themselves: they have to pay

their employer, usually an amount of twenty five thousand leones (Le. 25,000.00). Any

surplus to this revenue is for them.

Eight of the commercial motor bike riders (20%) have acquired their senior secondary

school education. According to them, motor bike riding is the only means to secure

income, as there is no job facility in Bo Town. Three (3) of them revealed that they

joined motor bike riding in 2002, six years ago, and in this time they were able to save

enough money to buy their own motor bike or to pay off loans they used to acquire a

motor bike. The self-employed bike-owners earn an estimated average of thirty five

thousand leones (Le. 35,000) per day. They are the sole breadwinners for their nuclear

families, and support member of their extended families in basic necessities, education

and health care on irregular bases. Their expressed wish to further their education is

hindered by the responsibilities they carry.

Five of the bike riders with completed senior secondary school (SSS) education started

riding in 2000-2001, about seven to eight years ago. They were able to promote from

riders to inspectors for the Bike Riders Development Association Executives (B.R.D.A.)

in Bo; they monitor junior commercial motor bike riders.

33

Ten of the bike riders have gone through Vocational/Technical training, they account for

25% of the total research population. Most of them are trained mechanics or repairmen

for motor bikes, some of them are trained carpenters. Although they are trained in

another profession, they cannot find employment in their own sector, and if they do find

employment, the income possibilities are not as attractive as in the motor bike riding

industry, or the employment will not be on regular bases. These riders see riding as the

only way to survive in Bo Town.

The industry itself develops as more people join the industry. Riders, bike owners and

the B.R.D..A. are giving out incentives and creating ways to make the profession more

attractive for current and future employees. The riders, for example, have organized

themselves in Susu, an organization in which registered riders in a certain motor bike

park contribute a particular sum at the end of each month. The total amount will be

given to one rider, based on his years, months or days in service. The riders, who have

been registered to that specific park for the longest amount of time, have the right to the

accumulated sum. For some motor bike parks, like ECOWAS-Park, at the end of the

year, they will buy one new motor bike and give it to their member in the form of a loan.

Concluding, motor bike riding is an attractive profession for mainly youths, in the ages of

21-29, they take up the profession, mostly, because they don‟t have alternative ways to

provide income. Most of them, upon entering into the profession, don‟t consider bike

riding as a preferred or life long career: they have the wish to save money and further

their education. But the income in the industry is attractive, the longer one works as bike

riders, the more ways he finds to increase his income. Motor bike riding as a profession

has enabled the employers to develop their economic and social lives: it enabled them

to get married, to have children and take care of their families without the help of others.

Some of them progress in the industry, acquire their own bikes, and create jobs for the

jobless youth.

34

PLATE 1

Plate 1. A group of commercial motor bike riders at their packing ground waiting for passengers. (Source: researcher‟s field data, 2008)

35

PLATE 2

Plate 2. Reseracher collecting field data. (Source: researcher‟s field data, 2008)

36

PLATE 3

Plate 3. Commercial Motor Bike Rider looking out for passengers at the Fenton Road Roundabout.

(Source: researcher‟s field data, 2008)

37

PLATE 4

Plate 4. Commercial Motor Bike Riders in action at Fenton Road, in the center of Bo Town. One is carrying a passenger, the other just dropped off a passenger, and the third is negotiating with a passenger at the

ECOWAS Bike Park. (Source: researcher‟s field data, 2008)

38

PLATE 5

Plate 5. Bike Riders on the lookout for passengers among business people, close to the Fenton Road Market.

(Source: researcher‟s field data, 2008)

39

PLATE 6

Plate 6. Bike Rider negotiates with passenger

(Source: researcher‟s field data, 2008)

40

CHAPTER F IVE SUMMARY, CONCLUS ION AND

RECOMMENDAT ION

5.0 SUMMARY

The main objective of this research was to investigate the major social and economic

impacts of the use of motor bikes in Sierra Leone, with Bo town as a case study, and to

identify the main factors, by making generalizations, drawing conclusions and to make

recommendations for future development for this type of transportation.

The specific objective of this work was to identify the social and economic impact of the

use of motor bikes in terms of trade, employment and connectivity. In terms of trade, the

researcher targeted the passengers. This research among passengers shows that the

use of commercial motor bikes is not popular in the age categories of 15-20 years, and

40-60 years. The physical strength of the passengers, corresponding to their age, is

partly responsible for the choice of means of transport. It also shows that commercial

motor bikes are mostly used as a means of public transportation by people between the

ages of twenty to thirty five.

Also, among the passengers, workers and traders form 45% of the main users of

commercial motor bikes. In terms of connectivity, 85% of the passengers reside at the

periphery of the town. A conducted survey, with closed answers and open interviews

discloses that there are different categories of passengers, based on their age.

Another objective of this research is to identify the social and economic impact of the

use of motor bike on the riders. My research shows that commercial bike riding largely

falls under the informal economic sector. Most bike riders are riding for a third-party that

41

own the bike but have not entered into formal labor relationship with their riders. The

result shows that only 20% of commercial bike riders exploit their own bikes and get to

keep the full revenue. Some of these bike owners acquire their motor bike through a

„ride and pay‟ loan; monthly they pay a percentage of their earnings as down payments

for the motor bike. 22% ride for others in an informal employment relationship, and 57%

of them ride on „hustle‟ bases („Gbagi Gbagi‟) in which they hang out at the Bike Parks,

and find irregular and unregistered work in this sector.

A large category of otherwise unemployable youth 50% is convinced that this particular

economic activity has the best income possibilities for them. A fairly large group of

riders (38%) is not satisfied with the income; but they consider it to be the only way to

earn their basic income. Only 8% of the bike riders engaged in this economic activity

because they see as a preferred means to earn a living.

Fifty percent of the commercial motor bike riders acquired primary education. 50% has

acquired secondary education, of which 30% up to junior secondary school level (JSS1-

3) and 20% up to senior secondary school level (SSS1-3). 30% has followed

vocational/technical education. And 15% has not gone through formal education. None

of them has obtained college or University education.

The researcher used surveys, interviews with a closed questionnaire and open

interviews by using an interview and interview schedule strategy for all categories of

respondents from the bike riders, and shows that the bike riders have high socio-

economic impact on the broader society, based on low income earning and the fact that

their activities largely take place in the informal economy.

The next objective was to investigate the role of the Government in developing policies

with regard to safety issues for riders and passengers. This research among the traffic

police and traffic wardens revealed that the greatest risk factor lies in the lack of

theoretical and practical training of commercial riders. According to their estimates, only

10% of the commercial motor bike riders observe traffic rules. The majority of them do

42

not have a license. The high illiteracy level among riders presumably makes them

incapable of interpreting traffic signs and speedometers.

The researcher‟s field data shows that 25% of the commercial motor bike riders have a

license, 63% of them do not have a license, and 13% is not even interested in having

license. Next to lack of theoretical knowledge of traffic rules, many riders lack practical

skills to operate a motor bike. 25% of the riders have gone through formal practical

training in which they are taught how to operate a motor bike by a professional

instructor. 13% of the riders are partially trained. 63% of the commercial riders have

never undergone any formal or informal training. Questionnaire and open interviews

were used.

A total of four sections were selected in the study area: one from New London in the

southern part of Bo, Shellmingo in the eastern part, Y-junction in the northern part and

the ECOWAS Park in Bojon Street, in the centre of Bo Town.

The research population in this study includes: commercial motor bike riders, the traffic

unit, the Sierra Leone police (SLP), traffic wardens and passengers.

A total of seventy (70) people were interviewed: Twenty (20) persons were selected to

represent the view of passengers. Five (5) respondents from each location of the parks.

Forty (4) commercial bike riders were selected to represent the view of the bike riders

on the activities. Ten (10) traffic police officers and traffic wardens were selected in

order to identify the relationship between the riders and the traffic unit.

When they become more experienced, they learn the tricks of the trade and they get

into contact with influential people, who end up employing them, be it in an informal

labor relationship. According to the bike riders, this is an important reason why they see

the profession as attractive: it gets them into contact with prominent people in society.

As the time they spend in the profession progresses, they get used to earning money on

a regular bases. Their needs shift from providing for their basic necessities and further

education, to the acquisition of „luxury goods‟, like mp3-players, digital video disc

43

players, expensive clothing and so on. They explained that motor bike riding certainly

cannot make them „rich overnight‟, but it at least provides them with the security to be

able to afford their own feeding. Motor bike riding thus enhances their economic status,

and gives them economic independence. Considering the large number of unemployed

youth in Bo Town, motor bike riding has a significant economic impact on the individual

lives of the riders in the industry.

Motor bike riders are not able to earn large amount of money per day for them selves,

or to earn a steady income. Their income is dependent on the demand for transport,

weather and their own ability to acquire equipment for work (that is, the motor bike).

Most of the riders earn the major part of their weekly salary on Sunday‟s, after riding for

their employer for six (6) days. Every day, they have the possibility to create some

income for themselves.

Eight of the commercial motor bike riders (20%) have acquired their senior secondary

school education. According to them, motor bike riding is the only means to secure

income, as there is no job facility in Bo Town. Three of them revealed that they joined

motor bike riding in 2002, six years ago, and in this time they were able to save enough

money to buy their own motor bike or to pay off loans they used to acquire a motor bike.

The self-employed bike-owners earn an estimated average of thirty five thousand

leones (Le. 35,000) per day.

44

5.1 CONLUSION

The research shows that commercial motor bike riding in Bo Town as an economic

activity is mainly undertaken by people in the age category of 21-29 years. In such,

none of them was younger than 21, and none of the riders is older than 34. The average

age of the bike riders in Bo Town is 27. It can be concluded that commercial bike riding

is an especially attractive job opportunity for the youth category. The main reason for

the popularity of the activity is that little knowledge and skills are required and little in the

investment has to be made.

A vast majority of the bike riders ride for others in an informal employment relationship.

Some have a fulltime, employment, but most commercial bike riders undertake

commercial bike riding as a mean of generating income. For a few hours per day, on

„hustle‟ bases, that does not give them economical independence. This last category is

the weakest group of employees among the commercial bike riders. Because they „eat

what they earn‟ they cannot invest in their work. A majority of them do not have a

license, simply because they cannot afford it. Only few of the bike riders exploit their

own motor bike. And it is mostly members of this category that use other riders on

„hustle‟ bases, to make optimal use of the motor bike.

The educational level of commercial motor bike riders in Bo Town is lower education. A

majority of the riders has not completed formal education. Because of their low level or

lack of formal education, they are unable to interpret traffic rules in terms of road signs

or even read the speedometer.

The main factor responsible for the expansion of the activity is that the majority of the

commercial motor bike users are young, energetic people, and they form a large

proportion of the population in Bo Town.

The riders are instrumental in providing faster means of transportation within the Bo

Township. The commercial bike riders are important in providing transport for workers,

business people and even students in Bo, and there is a high demand among the

population for their services.

45

5.2 RECOMMENDATION

A: FOR PRACTICAL ACTION

Improving on commercial motor bike riding, the riders need to at least undergo basic

literacy education in order to enable them to read and write, in order to minimize the

difficulties in reading road signs and speedometers.

The riders need to acquire proper training before taking up the activity.

The Government of Sierra Leone should give the necessary training and logistics to

the Sierra Leone Traffic Police and Traffic Wardens, in the enforcement of the laws of

traffic.

The government of Sierra Leone should ensure that commercial motor bike riders

undergo physical and medical tests before allowing them to take up this profession.

B: FOR FURTHER RESEARCH

Find out the role of Motor Bike Riders Development Association (M.B.D.A).

Find out the rate of accidents caused by commercial motor bike riders.

To make comparative study between the illiterate and semi illiterate commercial

motor bike riders.

46

B IBL IOGRAPHY

Canoe, H.A. (1972) - Studies in British Transport History 1870-1970.

David and Charles South Devon House Newton Abbatt, Deron.

Census Report (2004) - Total population in Bo Town, Education and Literacy. Sierra Leone Statistics.

The Government policies (2007)

- Section 77 of RTA riding without crash helmet.

Fadare, O. and Salami, B.T. (2004)

- Telephone Uses and the Travel Behavior of Residents in Osogbo, Nigeria: an empirical Analysis. J. Transp. Geogr. 12: 159-164.

Fadare, O. (1998) - Analysis of Formal and Informal Public Transport. Demand at Ibadan Oyo State, Nigeria, J. Environ Des. and Manage. 1(1&2): 55-57.

Hazayyin, A.S. and El-Hawary, M. (1984) - Man and His Transport Behaviour. Transport Reviews. 4: 3. Huntersville AVD (1975). Lead Transport Research Corporation.

Orski, (1995)

- California Considers Alternatives to Trip Reduction Programs. Journal of Urban Planning and Develop ment 120, 1: 22-7, 1995.

Raft, R. (1918) - Nigerian Urban Transport Crisis. A Paper Presented at an International Workshop of Long Term Planning of Urban Mass Transport System in Nigeria.

Sierra Leone Youth Policy (2005)

- Definition Youth Category 18-35. 2005.

Thomson, J.M. (1969) - Motorways in London. The London Amenity and Transport Association; Report of a working party led by J.M.Thomson (Duckworth, London).

United Nations Definition of Youth (2007)

- United Nations World Youth Convention. 2007.

World Health Organization (2004) - World Health Organization Traffic Safety Fact. 2004.

47

APPENDIX I

QUESTIONNAIRE FOR COMMERCIAL MOTOR BIKE RIDERS

INTRODUCTION

This questionnaire is to investigate the socio-economic impacts of the use of motor bike

on youth in Sierra Leone: A case study of Bo town. Also this questionnaire is to identify

the socio-economic impacts of the use of motorbike on trade, employment and

connectivity to ease the problem of transportation. In line with that, this questionnaire is

to investigate the role of Government in developing policies that will protect the riders

from fatal accident, and the use of proper traffic rules.

SECTION A

PERSONAL INFORMATION OF THE RESPONDENT

a) AGE…………………………………………………………………………..

b) MARITAL STATUS…………………………………………………………

c) LEVEL OF EDUCATION……………………………………………………

i. Primary school

ii. Junior Secondary school

iii. Senior Secondary school

iv. Vocational/technical training

v. college/University

vi. other

d) RELIGION……………………………………………………………………

e) WHEN DID YOU JOINE BIKE RIDING?................................................

f) WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME BIKE RIDER?

i. To make fast money

ii. Lack of alternatives

iii. To be able to get my basic needs

48

iv. I have nobody to support me.

g) WERE YOU TRAINED BY SOMEONE?

i. Yes

ii. No

h) IF YES WHO TRAINED YOU?

i. Professional

ii. Colleague bike rider

iii. A friend

i) IF NO, HOW DID YOU LEARN TO RIDE?

a. …………………………………………………………………………..

b. …………………………………………………………………………..

c. …………………………………………………………………………..

SECTION B.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS

1. HOW DID YOU ACQUIRE YOUR MOTOR BIKE?

a. Buying

b. Loan

c. I ride for someone else

d. Stealing

2. IF YOU BOUGHT THE BIKE, FOR HOW MUCH?

a.

b.

c.

d.

3. IF LOAN WHAT ARE THE CONDITIONS?

a.

b.

c.

d.

49

4. IF RIDING FOR SOME ONE WHAT ARE THE CONDITIONS?

a.

b.

c.

d.

5. DO YOU OWN BIKE FOR YOURSELF?

1. Yes 2. No

6. IF YES HOW MANY?

7. IF NO WHY?

SECTION C

KNOWLEDGE ON TRAFFIC RULES

1. DO YOU HAVE DRIVER‟S LICENE?

1. Yes 2. No

2. IF NO WHY?

i. Lack of money

ii. It is too expensive

iii. I don‟t want to take it

iv. others

3. WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE TRAFFIC POLICE/WARDING?

a. …………………………………………………………………………

b. ………………………………………………………………………….

c. …………………………………………………………………………..

46

50

APPENDIX I I

QUESTIONNAIRE FOR THE TRAFFIC UNIT, SIERRA LEONE

POLICE/TRAFFIC WARDENS

INTRODUCTION

This questionnaire is to investigate the role of Government in developing policies that

will protect the riders from fatal accident, and the use of proper traffic rules.

SECTION A

PERSONAL INFORMATION

1. AGE………………………………………Sex………………………………………

2. RELIGION…………………………………………………………………………

3. RANK………………………………………………………………………………

4. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN SERVICE?

i. One year

ii. Two years

iii. Three years

iv. Four years

v. Five years

vi. More than five years

SECTION B

1. ARE THERE TRAFFIC RELATED PROBLEMS WITH THE RIDERS?

i. Yes

ii. No

51

2. IF YES WHAT ARE THEY?

a. ……………………………………………………………………..

b. …………………………………………………………………….

c. ……………………………………………………………………

3. ARE THEY ALL LICENSED?

i. Yes ii. No

4. IF YES, WHICH INSTITUTION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR GIVING THEM LICENSE?

i. Sierra Leone Road Transport Authority

ii. The traffic warding

iii. Traffic Police

iv. Bike riders Association Executives

v. Other

5. IF NO WHY?

a. ……………………………………………………………………

b. ……………………………………………………………………

c. …………………………………………………………………..

6. IF YES IS THERE ANY PUNISHMENT?

i. Yes

ii. No

7. IF YES WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PUNISHING THEM?

i. Bike riders association executives

ii. Magistrate Court

iii. Traffic police

iv. The community people

v. Other

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8. IF NO WHY?

a. ………………………………………………………………………

b. ………………………………………………………………………

c. ………………………………………………………………………

9. WHAT KIND OF PUNISHMENT?

i. Fine

ii. Imprisonment

iii. To be bound from riding

iv. Beating

v. Other

SECTION C.

PRESENT GOVERNMENT POLICIES ON TRAFFIC

1. ARE THERE ANY GOVERNMENT POLICIES GUIDING THE RIDERS?

i. Yes

ii. No

2. IF YES WHAT ARE THEY?

a. ……………………………………………………………

b. ……………………………………………………………

c. ……………………………………………………………

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3. IF YES WHEN WERE THE POLICIES INTRODUCED?

i. 1999-2000

ii. 2000- 2001

iii. 2001-2002

iv. 2002- 2003

v. 2003- 2004

vi. 2004- 2005

vii. 2005-2006

viii. 2006-2007

ix. 2008

4. IF NO WHY?

a……………………………………………………………

b…………………………………………………………

c……………………………………………………………

SECTION D.

UPDATE ON TRAFFIC

1. DO YOU HAVE ANY RECORD ON VIOLATION OF TRAFFIC?

i. Yes

ii. No

2. IF YES ON WHAT?

i. Fatal accident

ii. Minor accident

iii. Those without license

iv. Other

3. IF YES HOW OFTEN?

i. Daily

ii. Weekly

iii. Monthly

iv. After every six months

v. Other

54

4. IS THERE WAY YOU CAN HELP THE SITUATION?

i. Yes

ii. No

5. IF YES HOW?

a. ……………………………………………………………..

b. …………………………………………………………….

c. …………………………………………………………….

6. IF NO WHY?

a. ……………………………………………………………..

b. …………………………………………………………….

c. …………………………………………………………….

7. WHAT ARE YOUR ACHIEVMENTS IN THE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT?

a. ……………………………………………………………..

b. …………………………………………………………….

c. …………………………………………………………….

8. WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS WITH MANAGEMENT OF TRAFFIC?

a. ……………………………………………………………..

b. …………………………………………………………….

c. …………………………………………………………….

55