Abstract

Since commercial motorcycle and tricycle have become a recognized means of transportation in Nigeria, it has generated research interest among scholars with different focuses and findings. This paper examines the activities of commercial motorcycle and tricycle riders as a means of livelihood and their vulnerability to hazards associated with their works. The study was carried out in Orile-Iganmu Area, Lagos State, Nigeria. Twenty-five identified terminals for motorcycle and tricycle riders were purposively used for this study. Out of 250 registered motorcycle riders and 134 registered tricycle riders, 25% were randomly selected across the terminals. Thus, sixty-three motorcycle riders and thirty-five tricycle riders were sampled. Data collected were analysed using appropriate statistical packages. The findings also show that motorcycle and tricycle operators earn above 1.90 dollar per day but this does not escape them out of extreme poverty as the average number of household that depend on their income is high. This study infers that there is significant positive relationship between level of hazard risk, and vulnerability to accident. Hazard vulnerability can be minimized through construction of good roads, regular traffic control, compliance to traffic rules, and regular rest and medical check-up.

Key Words: Livelihood, Poverty, Hazard Risk, and Hazard Vulnerability