Motorcycle Awareness Month launched at Parliament
Associate Minister for ACC Willie Jackson marked the beginning of Motorcycle Awareness Month last week. A display of helmets on the steps of Parliament represented the average of 50 riders who die on our roads every year.
It was a fitting way to launch Motorcycle Awareness Month on 1 September in Wellington. To reflect on the many riders’ who lose their lives every year across Aotearoa.
The Right Honourable Minister Willie Jackson was joined by our Deputy Chief Executive – Prevention and Partnerships Tane Cassidy. He was also joined by Colin McGregor, Chair of the Motorcycle Safety Awareness Council (MSAC) and many riders at Parliament.
Motorcycle Awareness Month is run by ACC and the Motorcycle Safety Awareness Council. It celebrates the start of the riding season and encourages riders to get ride ready.
Minister Jackson says that anytime he can support causes that prevent death and serious injury it is time well spent. The Associate Minister for ACC wants to make a difference.
“Motorcycle Awareness Month is really innovative, and I support what ACC is doing here,” he says.
Helmets were placed on the steps to mark the 50 riders that lose their lives on average each year on our roads.
“We are talking about 50 lives being lost every year on our roads. So, what can we do to prevent that? What we can do is run and awareness campaign, and that is what this is all about,” says the Minister.
“As motorcyclists, let’s be aware of what we can do to prevent injury and as drivers we need to be aware of how we can support the motorcycle community.
“Because some of the time there is too much arrogance as drivers – and I include myself in that as well,” he says. “We forget about these important people on our roads. They are our fellow Kiwis and we have got to look after them.”
Motorcycle Awareness Month supports Waka Kotahi’s Road to Zero strategy.
Road to Zero aims to build the safest road system possible, and work towards zero deaths and serious injuries on NZ’s roads.
“All of a sudden, bikes are everywhere”
Dave Keilty is our Injury Prevention Partner. He says it was great to see the support for the launch of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.
September is an important time of the year for the motorbike community.
“More than 50 percent of motorcyclists de-register and put their bikes away over the winter months,” says Dave.
“But now you’re going to see those bikes start to come back out in the warmer weather.
“So all of a sudden from a car driver’s perspective bikes are everywhere, they seem to be coming from all directions, at speed and it can be quite daunting.”
Dave says motorbike riders and car drivers are both responsible for reducing motorcycle fatalities and injuries.
Riders need to make sure their gear and bikes are in good condition before hitting the roads. While car drivers should keep an eye out for motorcyclists, particularly at intersections.
To improve safety for riders, we run the Ride Forever coaching programme.
Riders who have completed a Ride Forever course are up to 50 percent less likely to lodge a motorcycle-related accident claim than non-trained riders.
During Motorcycle Awareness Month, riders are encouraged to wear yellow while on the roads.
“I was very lucky”
Natasha Cooper says riding her motorbike is good for her mental health.
“I love being out on my bike,” she says. “It’s a great way to start the day on the way to work – you don’t sit in traffic and get angry. I find it a lot more relaxing.”
One morning last year Natasha did not find her ride into work in Wellington relaxing.
She was riding into Thorndon when a car driver changed lanes in front of her without looking Natasha was knocked off her bike.
She attended the launch in Wellington last week because Motorcycle Awareness is important to her after her accident. She knows how easily an accident can happen.
“It was a surreal moment. It felt like it happened quickly and slowly at the same time. I was lucky that the accident happened when it wasn’t too high speed, and I was wearing all of the gear.
“I walked away with a few bruises and that was about it. I know I was fortunate.”
“We wanted to make a difference”
Ross Gratton and Stuart Nelson are two Wainuiomata locals. They are passionate about motorcycle safety.
In 2013 they created Two Bald Bikers Motorcycle Training.
“We both had friends who had gone out riding and never came home. You have that thought, I can be part of the problem, or I can be part of the solution,” says Ross.
“We found that extra training makes all the difference.”
Two Bald Bikers are proud to offer the ACC Ride Forever subsidised training programme.
Ross featured in a number of media interviews last week. He says it was important for them to support the launch of Motorcycle Awareness Month.
“Motorcycle Awareness Month is important because it’s that first time we will get the bikes out after having them locked up for the winter,” he says.
“It’s a time to refresh your skills, or knock your sharp edges off, anything that might have gone a bit rusty over the break. And it’s just nice to get out on the bike again.”
We encourage riders to follow these steps to stay safe on the road:
- Check your bikes are well maintained
- Ensure your gear is up to scratch
- Refresh your skills by completing an ACC Ride Forever coaching programme
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