Who’d swap the adrenalin, fun and freedom of riding a motorcycle with being cooped up in a boring old car? Not many riders, that’s for sure. However, over the last year, more than 1,300 motorcycle riders were injured while riding their bikes on New Zealand’s roads. Whatever the cause, there’s a lot you can do to improve your safety when you’re on the road, without having to swap two wheels for four!
How safe are you?
Motorcycle riders are 16 times more likely than any other road user to be involved in a crash, and they’re far more likely to be seriously injured. While one of the top two causes of those crashes is the motorcyclist losing control, the other cause is a motorist simply not seeing the rider. Riders need to be constantly monitoring their own riding ability and to be super aware of what’s happening around them.
What you can do to keep yourself safe
As a motorcyclist you can do a lot to make yourself safer on the roads, including:
- always wearing protective clothing
- always wearing a helmet
- riding defensively
- making sure you’re seen by other road users
- maintaining a safe motorbike
- attending a riding school.
- more information see the LTSA website (external link).
Ride Forever
For riding tips and information on riding gear, clubs in New Zealand and other resources, go to Ride Forever (external link).
Scooter Riders
Check out the Scooter survival website (external link). It’s your one-stop shop on what to look out for when buying a scooter, what laws you need to know, easy tips to maintain your scooter, and online scooter tips to help make you a better rider.
ACC’s role
ACC runs community-based motorcycle safety projects around the country. They are managed by local ACC staff and run in conjunction with other people and agencies that have a shared interest in increasing motorcycle safety.
Last updated: 20April2009