Motorcycle Awareness Month 2024: A Call to Action for Safer Roads in New Zealand

As Motorcycle Awareness Month 2024 kicks off, Ride Forever, in partnership with the Wairarapa Road Safety Council, Waka Kotahi and ACC, is urging all road users to be more vigilant and considerate towards motorcyclists. This annual campaign aims to enhance the safety of motorcyclists across New Zealand.

Over the past decade, motorcycle-related crashes have been a significant concern in New Zealand. According to the Ministry of Transport, there have been 2583 motorcycle-related crashes causing death and serious injury between 2018 and 2022. These alarming statistics highlight the need for increased awareness and proactive measures to protect motorcyclists on our roads.

Motorbikes make up 4.5% of the vehicles on the road (and cover even fewer of the kilometers traveled), yet they account for 20% of all deaths and serious injuries. On average, just over 50 riders and pillions are involved in fatal crashes each year. Males aged 40 years and older have the highest representation of these statistics.

Key Statistics:

- In the last 5 years, motorcycle-related crashes have resulted in 265 fatalities nationally.

- Serious injuries from motorcycle crashes have totaled 2318 (496 in just 2022) nationally in the same period.

- The Wairarapa region has seen a disproportionate number of these incidents, making it a major focus for this year's awareness efforts.

Motorcycle Awareness Month 2024 will feature a series of initiatives, including:

- Educational Campaigns: Promoting safe riding practices and encouraging motorists to be more aware of motorcyclists.

- Safety Checks: Before you plan to head out on your ride, ensure your motorcycle is roadworthy and safe to ride. Visit your favorite local motorcycle mechanic for a safety check.

- Asking All Riders to Wear Yellow: Wear some yellow when you ride, or even something under your riding gear so people can see it when you stop for a coffee. Bright yellow has always been associated with MAM. The added bonus is that it is an excellent way of increasing your visibility to other road users. Don’t have anything yellow to wear? Add some yellow tape to your bike.

- Get $200 Off Your Motorcycle Rego - The Motorcycle Rego Cashback programme offers experienced riders, who are eligible, a $200 cashback on their motorcycle rego. Find out more about the eligibility for the Cashback on the Ride Forever website.

Through education and community involvement, we can significantly reduce the number of motorcycle-related accidents. Motorcycle Awareness Month is an opportunity for everyone to commit to making our roads safer for all users.

Holly Hullena, Projects Coordinator at Wairarapa Road Safety Council, emphasized the importance of this campaign: "The Wairarapa region has seen too many tragic incidents involving motorcyclists. This campaign is crucial in raising awareness and educating both riders and drivers about the importance of road safety. We are proud to support Motorcycle Awareness Month and its initiatives."

Motorcyclists are encouraged to take advantage of the resources available during this month, including advanced riding courses offered by Ride Forever, which have been proven to reduce crash rates among participants.

Drivers can play their part too through our 'Look Again' campaign. This campaign is aimed at other road users, reminding them that motorcycles are hard to spot and to simply look again.

"By working together, we can create a safer environment for everyone on the road," added Hullena. "Our goal is to see a significant reduction in motorcycle-related injuries and fatalities through these collective efforts."

For more information on Motorcycle Awareness Month 2024 and how you can get involved, please visit [Ride Forever's Website](https://www.rideforever.co.nz/riding-in-new-zealand/motorcycle-awareness-month/motorcycle-awareness-month-2024/).

Ride Forever - vital courses for every rider!

Bruce Pauling, Manager of the Wairarapa Road Safety Council, said motorcycle safety was a’high concern’ for the Wairarapa, with the Remutaka Hill being a high risk motorcycle route, and our narrow winding rural roads, especially in South Wairarapa, providing a challenge to riders.

 

His ‘’let’s get ready to ride’ safety initiative depended on amazing community support from local business. “Evolved Performance, Sargents motorcycles, Fagan Suzuki & Langlands Honda have been outstanding in supporting our combined efforts to promote these ACC led ‘life saving’ safety courses for riders, who are extremely vulnerable if involved in a crash".

 

"We encourage riders to book in for a free m/cycle safety check at one of these amazing local m/cycle retailers, get a free ‘tote bag’ of rider accessories & then pick up our flier to then book a free ‘ride forever’ on-road safety course".

 

Riders who complete courses are also entered into monthly draws for $250 prize vouchers to be redeemed at local motorcycle retailers, for either workshop work or the purchase of rider accessories.

 

Pauling says "this is all part of our councils’ efforts to encourage new & existing riders, no matter what licence type or riding experience they have, to book in for our ‘free’ on-road safety courses, to keep themselves safe & ‘upright’, as well as receiving the latest expert learnings about motorcycle safety in general". 

Riders are 27% less likely to be involved in a serious crash after completing these fantastic safety courses.

 

Regional accredited & super experienced instructors meet up with riders in Wairarapa on weekends. Following the Health & Safety briefing and rules for the group ride, riders are ‘commed up' & get real time feedback the journey. Depending on whether it is a Bronze, Silver or Gold course, riders will traverse State Highways & local roads across Wairarapa & beyond. Safe riding techniques including hazard perception, ‘vanishing points’, counter steering & braking, bike maintenance & essential riding gear are all discussed during the day, with a lunch stop giving time for general discussions and for riders to share experiences and learnings.

 

Some local experienced riders complete the Gold course each & every year, as they all say they learn something new with each course to keep themselves & their pillions safe & their rides more enjoyable & less tiring”.

 

Katie Abbott (pictured) holds her learner motorcycle licence and decided to make safety her No.1 priority. Katie said she learnt so much from her ‘Bronze’ ‘ride forever’ course, which is specifically designed for new riders. She is now looking forward to riding the Remutaka Hill road with confidence, and will continue to learn by next attending the Silver and then Gold courses. “I think every rider should complete these vital safety courses…it’s a long day but you learn so much and it’s a lot of fun”.

 

Check out her video HERE

 

Wairarapa Motorcyclists dusting of their rides ready for a season of better road riding.

YOU'RE CHALLENGED TO BE A BETTER RIDER!

From September 2022 to February 2023, The Wairarapa Road Safety Council will pay the booking fees for any 'ride forever' course. Go to rideforever.co.nz and book any training course offered by a provider in the Wellington region for FREE. As long as you live in Wairarapa, there is no charge! USE PROMO CODE: WRSC

****$250 MONTHLY DRAWS FOR COURSE SIGN UP - USE WINNING VOUCHERS FOR RIDING GEAR / WORKSHOP COSTS / ACCESSORIES****

Shiny Side up 2022 goes Online

Shiny Side Up Goes Online: Due to the uncertainty of Omicron, we’ve made the difficult decision to postpone this year’s Bike Fest and Talk Series to 2023.

While we aren’t able to come together in person, the Shiny Side Up Online Event promises to be the biggest virtual meet of Kiwi riders, ever. We’re bringing you some huge names in the NZ and international motorcycle communities, covering everything from live demos, to the best ways to stay safe on the road, to gear, technology and fantastic riding adventures. PLUS, there are some major prizes to be won.

So, save the date Sunday 10th April and join us online. Stay tuned for more!

Keep up to date following the facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ShinySideUpBikeFest