Analyzing Aggressive Cycling Behaviors of E-Bikers in Guangzhou through Structural Equation Models

Abstract

Road collisions are frequently attributed to aggressive behavior. With electric bicycles gaining substantial popularity as a means of transportation in China, it has become imperative to investigate the factors influencing aggressive cycling behavior among e-bikers. In this study, data on the aggressive riding of e-bikers in Guangzhou City, China, were collected through an online questionnaire. The analysis of this aggressive cycling behavior employed three models: the theory of planned behavior, the prototype willingness model, and an integrative model that combined constructs from both models, along with descriptive norms and trait anger. The prototype willingness model showed a moderately higher capacity for explaining variance compared with the theory of planned behavior, whereas the integrative model performed slightly better than the prototype willingness model in elucidating the variance in the aggressive cycling behavior of e-bikers. Two psychological factors that highlight social situations—subjective norms and descriptive norms—significantly affected the intentions and behaviors related to aggressive riding on e-bikes, respectively. Intention, willingness, and behavior of aggressive cycling were found to be influenced by the individual’s trait anger. Willingness had a much stronger influence on behavior than the other constructs. The study suggests that aggressive riding behavior among e-bikers primarily results from a social reactive pathway rather than a reasoned one.