Analysis of Gender Preference of Commuters among Okadariders in Auchi: A Survey Based Study, Nigeria

The introduction of motorcycle popularly called ‘Okada’ as an alternative mode of transport in urban centers was prompted by the high cost, bad state of roads and others inevitable transport service provisions which impacted negatively on economic activities and the relative immobility of the urban populace. Thus, the choice of motorcycle to carry passenger tends to favor men. This makes women gender-biased by the operators, a basis for the analysis of gender preference of commuter by Okada operatives in Auchi, Estako-west local government area of Edo state with the aim of analyzing the gender preference of commuters among Okada riders in Auchi. The research design was strictly survey and observatory with a research population of Okada riders estimated, using a simple random sampling technique. Based on the findings, the study concluded that okada riders in Auchi are all men that are mostly married with daily earnings between 5000; that there is clear evidence of preference against females by okada operators/riders but this is due to underpinning factors ranging from weight, extra luggage among others and therefore recommended that Environmental and sustainability issues, as well as gender perspective need to be fully integrated into all transport related policy-making; That Government should introduce participatory, inclusive transport planning methodologies in other to incorporate the social gender of transport and travel need; there is a need for more inclusive gender sensitive transport system in the study area among others.