Impact of delivery and private Riders' roles on safety behavior in Marrakech Morocco

• Investigates motorcycle safety behaviors in Marrakech, Morocco, focusing on helmet use, mobile phone distractions, and zigzagging. • Observational study recorded 5,731 riders over two weeks at key intersections during peak hours. • Delivery riders showed higher helmet compliance, whereas private riders engaged in riskier behaviors. • Decision tree analysis identified key factors influencing unsafe behaviors, including rider type, time of day, and gender. • Findings highlight the need for targeted policies, stricter law enforcement, and safety awareness campaigns. This study advances the understanding of how occupational roles (delivery vs. private riders) interact with contextual factors to shape safety behaviors in Marrakech, Morocco. Practically, it provides evidence-based insights for policymakers to design targeted interventions, such as stricter helmet enforcement for private riders and distraction-reduction strategies for delivery riders, thereby addressing gaps in localized road safety strategies. Data were collected over two weeks at five key intersections, recording 5731 riders during peak traffic periods. The study utilized trained observers to capture rider traits, traffic context, and unsafe behaviors at different times of day morning, noon, and evening to account for variations in traffic conditions. Decision tree analysis was employed to explore the relationships between rider type, road conditions, time of day, gender, and unsafe behaviors. The findings revealed that delivery riders demonstrated higher compliance with helmet use regulations, while private riders were more likely to engage in risky behaviors such as mobile phone usage and zigzagging. Unsafe behaviors were found to be influenced by factors such as environmental conditions, rider demographics, and the timing of the behaviors. The analysis highlighted significant differences in behavior between private and delivery riders, as well as the influence of gender on safety practices. These results underscore the need for targeted interventions, including stricter enforcement of helmet use, educational campaigns addressing mobile phone distractions, and policies tailored to specific rider groups.