The increasing use of motorcycles in urban Africa is receiving attention in the research community. In this paper, we explore the nuanced characteristics of motorcycle use and the behaviour of riders in Accra, the capital of Ghana. An observational checklist was used to profile riders (and pillion passengers) and observe their everyday behaviours at three purposively selected signalized intersections over a five-day period. A total of 4,895 motorcyclists were observed over the period. A statistically significant relationship was found between motorcyclists’ red-light behaviour at signalized intersections and the time of travel, day of observation, the presence of a pillion passenger, the presence of other motorcyclists waiting at the intersection as well as rider’s use of helmet, sun-shield, mobile phone, headphone. The study found a high rate of red light violations and a low level of safety consciousness among motorcyclists. This finding and other unobserved factors are believed to explain the high rate of crashes and fatalities among motorcyclists in Ghana. It is recommended that officials of the National Road Safety Authority and the Motor Transport and Traffic Department of the Ghana Police Service increase their surveillance at the intersections to ward off recalcitrant motorcyclists.