Does Mindful Motorcycling Increase Motorcycle Riding Awareness?
Are you a motorcycle user? If so, finding out the results of the following research will be very interesting. However, for those who don’t ride a motorcycle, you may still find it fascinating to check out this research summary.
Motorcycles are one of the foremost popular ways of transportation in Indonesia. In rural areas, apart from bicycles, people heavily rely on motorcycles to mobilize for various purposes and interests. This is also due to the limited access of public transportation within these rural parts to reach each other. Yet, the availability of public transportation has not decreased the appeal of using motorcycles. The most noticeable case is in urban areas. Widely used arguments are the overcapacity of public transportation, and time efficiency. When it comes to time efficiency, it is reasonable to understand why motorcycles are favored modes of transportation. Motorcycles are considered more capable to seamlessly squeeze in between cars that are stalled due to traffic jams. This is one of the most popular reasons for those who are commuting to work in big cities.
Road congestion is a source of pressure for most road users, and motorcyclists are no exception. Hot weather, dusty roads, and the “competition” mood on the road to your destination are all factors that trigger conflict on the highway. One of the other consequences of these factors is a lack of clear thinking when driving on the road, which can lead to risky driving behavior. At this point, it is intriguing to consider whether it is possible to improve driving awareness, especially for motorcyclists, in order to minimize numerous risks on the roads as a result of motorists’ lack of vigilance.
Dewi et al. (2022) conducted compelling research on mindful motorcycling in motorcyclists. This research attempts to measure whether a psychological intervention in the form of mindful motorcycling might improve riding awareness for motorcyclists. Well, what is mindful motorcycling anyway? Previous research has suggested that riding a motorcycle is an automatic behavior that involves almost no conscious thought. As a result, many careless behaviors are impulsive and risky. Mindful motorcycling is about how a motorcyclist can really immerse themselves in their riding behavior, and still ride with full awareness so that they can continuously think clearly about various potential scenarios on the road.
Mindful motorcycling was used as a psychological intervention by Dewi et al. (2022). That is, Dewi et al. (2022) conducted training to improve mindful motorcycling conditions in 26 motorcyclists from various backgrounds after previously being equipped with knowledge about mindful motorcycling to improve safe riding behavior. Mindful motorcycling itself was measured both before and after the training using the MAAS (Mindful Attention Motorcycling Scale) which has been modified for research purposes.
Then, what are the changes perceived by the motorcyclists who participated in this research? Firstly, there is the matter of being present in the moment. Motorcyclists become less rushed when riding, more alert to the motorcycle speed while in use, still have anxiety about being late but are able to accept the possibility of delay. Second, from judgmental to non-judgemental. Motorcyclists can positively interpret any obstacle to their smooth riding on the road. For example, from “Well, I hit a red light”, to “Red light? Okay, I’ll just wait”. The third is the beginner’s mind. Riders are more sensitive in feeling the journey, seeing sights that have been ignored, overlooking many things as new experiences which are interesting and reducing fatigue. Fourth is from mindlessness to mindfulness. Riders become conscious that riding while listening to music, or without standard safety equipment is dangerous. Then the last one is sensations. Riders become more sensitive to the sounds of animals or nature that have been neglected, more able to sense the vibrations and sensations of the bike, and smell all the things they encounter on the road. Some of the testimonials reported by the motorcyclists in the study were that they grew calmer on the road, and resigned when encountering difficult situations on the road.
Certainly what the motorcyclists who participated in this study had experienced is a good outcome, and an ideal that should be enjoyed by all motorcyclists. However, psychological interventions in the form of mindful motorcycling appear to be helpful in allowing motorcyclists to achieve this state more effectively. It is certainly beneficial for motorcyclists to be more alert on the road as they are able to ride with a clear mind. Now, have you ridden your motorcycle to college or work with a clear mind? Or perhaps you need mindful motorcyling training too? Either way, it’s clearer now that mindful motorcycling is necessary to improve your riding to minimize risks. Wanna give it a try?
Reading source:
Dewi, M. P., Sulthoni, M. I., Puspitaningrum, B. C., Kusumastuti, A. N., Marissa, A., & Prabowo, H. (2022). Test of mindfulness motorcycling as a psychological intervention to increase awareness of riding. Proceeding of IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1000, 012018. doi: 10.1088/1755-1315/1000/1/012018
Available in:
https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1755-1315/1000/1/012018/meta
Featured Image:
Photo by Hobi industri on Unsplash
