Introduction & Purpose
Self-report questionnaires are widely used in research on road user behavior. While the Driver Behaviour Questionnaire (DBQ) is well-established for drivers, similar scales for pedestrians and cyclists are gaining interest. However, such validated questionnaires are currently lacking in Japan. This study aims to validate a walking behavior questionnaire (WBQ) and a cycling behavior questionnaire (CBQ) in Japan and explores their relationships with helmet use and accident history.
Method
A web-based survey was conducted with 329 Japanese adults who cycle weekly. Participants responded to questions on helmet use and accident history. They completed a 28-item CBQ and a 30-item WBQ, both adapted for the Japanese context. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was used to assess the factor structure. Poisson regression, Welch's t-test, and correlation analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between questionnaire scores, accidents, and helmet use.
Results
CFA confirmed a three-factor structure (violations, errors, and positive behaviors) for both questionnaires. Poisson regression showed a significant association between higher CBQ error scores and past accidents. Helmet users had significantly higher CBQ error scores than non-users. Correlation analyses revealed strong positive correlations between the same factors (e.g., CBQ errors and WBQ errors), suggesting consistent behavioral patterns across walking and cycling.
Conclusions
This study successfully validated the CBQ and WBQ for use in Japan. Higher self-reported errors in cycling were associated with a greater risk of accidents. The link between helmet use and error scores suggests that individuals who perceive their behavior as riskier may be more likely to wear a helmet. The strong correlations between the two questionnaires indicate that an individual's behavioral patterns are consistent whether they are walking or cycling. These questionnaires are valuable tools for future research in Japan.