Motorcycle
Awareness Month
P
roving, ironically, the staff at KR aren’t
always the most aware... we’ve just
cottoned on that September has been
Motorcycle Awareness Month... duh.
The launch of Motorcycle Awareness
Month shows motorcycle safety is a priority
for all New Zealanders, says Motorcycle Safety
Advisory Council (MSAC) Chair Mark Gilbert.
There are more motorcycles, and more motorcycle
crashes, on the road than ever before. We are all
affected – whether it is as a rider, another road user,
or as a friend or family member of a motorcyclist.
“The announcement of a month dedicated to
increasing the awareness of motorcycling and
motorcycle safety recognises this. It is a great
step forward and we welcome it, particularly
as it involves a number of ACC-led initiatives
dedicated to improving motorcycle safety.
“MSAC is playing its part through the launch
of our Ride and Decide initiative which
will bring everyone involved in motorcycle
safety together to share knowledge and
collaborate. We are looking for solutions.
“We hope that by bringing influencers and
decision-makers into one room so we can
start thinking about motorcycle safety as a
crucial aspect of road safety. We want to work
together to promote greater understanding
and better planning for motorcycle safety.”
“All riders can commit to safety by signing up
for a Ride Forever course.”The courses are heavily
subsidised by ACC and emphasise increasing
skills to get the most out of your ride. And if
you are taking your bike out of storage, give
it a once over to make sure it’s road ready.
“For other road users, we join ACC in asking
motorists to look twice for motorcycles. We can
easily be missed – with dire consequences.
“This is crucial. Motorcycle crashes are not only
costing us in lives, but the real cost to ACC is
$114m and growing. Based on what ACC shared
in the last levy consultation round, 16% of the
Motor Vehicle Account’s severe injuries involved
motorcyclists. Last year was a tragic one for
motorcycle safety with 52 motorcyclists killed
on our roads. Due to the number and severity of
these injuries, MSAC has been working with the
government on motorcyclists behalf to input into
the Safer Journeys Action Plan, agreeing to use
the MSL to fund the Ride Forever programme
and is now inviting motorcyclists to share their
thoughts on safety with their fellow riders.
“This year we are seeing an improvement, but we
want to keep up this momentum and make sure
motorcycle safety remains in the spotlight. If we all
consider motorcyclists and what it takes to be a safe
rider this month, I believe we can make this happen.”