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ABSTRACT
Motorcycle ownership and use in developing countries have increased dramatically over the past few decades. In many countries, the motorcycle business serves as a source of livelihood to many people and riders who look up to it as a source of income for survival of their households. The pursuit for economic and social survival has made many young people and middle aged men get into a variety of jobs such as motorcycle operations. This research work was therefore carried out to investigate the role of motorcycle transportation earning on poverty reduction in Abudu Town, Edo State, Nigeria. The research was also conducted to identify the challenges faced by motorcycle operators. The survey research design was used for the study. A total of 100 questionnaires copies were administered to randomly selected respondents. The data were analyzed using a combination of descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. The motorcycle business provided the operators with a source of income that enabled them meet their daily subsistence needs. They also reported that through the business they were able to educate their children. Moreover, the study showed that the motorcycle business had contributed to the community wellbeing in areas of transport, health, education and security moreover the study revealed that the motorcycle business contributed to the wellbeing of the operators. The study also highlighted some of the challenges facing the motorcycle operators including, insecurity such as theft of motorbikes, difficulty accessing and paying loans, government tax official harassment, and bad roads making movement difficult. The study recommended that the government should construct good and wide tarred roads to all the places in the study area and as well as construct good channels (gutters) at both sides of the road. Other recommendations included the activities of the Local Government Officials terrorizing the motorcycle operators should be monitored, cautioned and made to work within their specified jurisdiction. Moreover, the study also recommended granting of loan with minimum interest rate and less conditionality attached to the loan should be given to those in motorcycle transportation, and Government should subsidies spare parts and regulate fuel price to be affordable to a common man engaging in motorcycle operation.
