WHAT'S UP

3rd February 2012

Tauranga scooter course - 24 March

A scooter training course is being offered in Tauranga on Saturday 24^th March 2012.  This course is free and limited to 10 riders – so be in quick!  To register phone Linda at Bayride Motorcycles on 07 571 3040.  The course covers slow riding skills, cornering, emergency stopping, wet weather riding, protective gear and bike maintenance.  Plus you could also win a $50 voucher from Bayride Motorcycles.

Posted in: Local Events

1st January 2012

Pink my Ride Hamilton Scooter Course

Book a ‘Pink my ride’ scooter course

To support women scooter riders in Hamilton to be the best scooter riders they can be ACC is running two twilight scooter sessions in downtown Hamilton.  Karel Pavich, an instructor from Pro Rider, will lead the sessions and cover topics like general maintenance and safety checks, what to wear to avoid getting lifelong scars and practical exercises to improve rider skills such as braking and cornering.

The sessions are 6 – 8 pm on Tuesday 7th February and Wednesday 8th February

 To register contact:  Laura Ager on 0800 844 657 or email Laura.ager@acc.co.nz

Posted in: Local Events

20th December 2011

Safer Journeys for Motorcycling

The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), in collaboration with MOTO NZ, local road authorities, and ACC, have been working together to address the disproportionately high crash risks associated with motorcycling on New Zealand's roads.

The draft motorcycling safety guide, Safer Journeys for Motorcycling, focuses on safer roads and roadsides, and identifies ways that local authorities can make our roads safer for motorcycling, among other improvements.

But to help ensure success, they need to hear from everyone that has an interest in improving motorcycling safety. Take a look at the draft version of Safer Journeys for Motorcycling and them know what you think. Feedback is open until Friday 27th January.  To download a copy of Safer Journeys for Motorcycling, go to:

www.nzta.govt.nz/consultation/draft-safer-journeys-for-motorcycling-guide/

Posted in: News

4th November 2011

Safe Summertime Scootering

With summer fast approaching and young scooter riders keen to get out and enjoy the good weather, ACC is encouraging riders to add another layer of clothing.

Last year ACC paid out approximately $2 million supporting injured scooter riders, with a third of claims being for 15-24 year old riders.
ACC’s ‘Add another layer’ campaign is targeting young riders who, while enjoying the freedom and convenience of their scooter, may not have given much thought to avoiding serious injuries if they do come off.

Even at low speeds scooter riders can be badly injured in a crash and nasty grazes are really common. Tee-shirts, shorts and jandals offer zero protection against the unforgiving asphalt and the risk of a more serious injury is far greater if riders aren’t even covering bare skin.

"Just one layer of clothing can help reduce the seriousness of injuries" says Keith McLea, ACC’s General Manager of Insurance and Prevention Services. "Simply adding a long sleeved jacket can reduce the severity of injury in 75% of crashes".

Dr McLea says that while full protective gear is always going to be best, wearing clothes you already have will still make a big difference. "Long sleeves, gloves, jeans or long pants, shoes or boots are your best protection. Plus wear a full face helmet to give more protection to your face if the worst does happen."

ACC wants young scooter riders to be able to spend the long sundrenched summer days having fun, not recovering indoors from an injury.

So give yourself a chance and add a layer. More safety tips and information for scooter riders is available at www.scootersurvival.co.nz

What to wear

Upper body:

• Your upper body takes a lot of the impact – long sleeves and jackets buy your skin some time.
• Run your hands over the road and you’ll see why gloves are essential.
• Don’t have your face meet the road – full face helmets protect your chin, teeth and face.

Lower body:

• Imagine your legs scraping against the road, it’s not pretty – jeans or long pants help protect them.
• Your bare feet don’t stand a chance – shoes or boots are your best protection.

Posted in: News

11th March 2011

Our Campaign

Our latest scooter safety campaign aims to get young riders to cover up bare skin.

Scooters clad in brightly coloured fabrics will be zipping around Auckland,  Palmerston North , Wellington  and  Hamilton,  taking the message to young riders that bare skin and tarseal are a bad mix.

The scooters are part of ACC’s ‘Add another layer’ campaign which aims to encourage young scooter riders (aged 15-24) to cover up to reduce the seriousness of injuries from a crash.

During the warmer months, it’s not uncommon to see scooter riders dressed in teeshirts, shorts and jandals and unfortunately, this offers little or no protection for riders who come off in a crash.

While full protective gear would offer the best protection, ACC understands that scooters are about freedom and convenience.  So the campaign doesn’t tell scooter riders to go out and buy expensive biker gear – but to at least protect themselves as best they can with clothes they already own.

The message to riders is to wear sneakers, not jandals; jeans instead of shorts; a jacket instead of a teeshirt; and gloves. 

Scooter related claims and costs have increased more than six-fold over the last ten years. Last year, there were around 1000 new claims, and the total cost of support for injured scooter riders was $2.6 million. 

Watch a behind the scenes video of the scooters getting stripped down and recovered with fabric.

Posted in: News

1st January 2011

Tasman District scooter training

Tasman District Council, in partnership with ACC, holds regular motorcycle and moped training courses. These courses are suitable for all ages and abilities of riders and for all types of bikes, including 50cc mopeds. To find out more contact Tasman Distict Council

Posted in: Local Events

1st December 2010

Rider training in the Wellington region

Scooter training courses are being offered in the Wellington region including Kapiti and Wairarapa. Contact trainer in your area.

Posted in: Local Events

23rd September 2010

Links to motorcycle parking

Many councils have bylaws and rules relating to motorcycle parking and some have designated parking areas. Check out your local council’s website or give them a ring to find out what the local rules are and avoid getting parking tickets.

Another topic that various councils have different rules about is whether motorcyclists can ride in designated bus lanes etc – again it pays to check it out with the council, rather than rely on what your mate’s mate tells you.

The following links are to some towns’ motorcycle parking maps in:
Auckland
Tauranga
Hamilton
Wellington
Christchurch

Posted in: Rules and Parking

1st November 2009

Lights on during the day

From 1 November 2009, changes to the road rules means that all motorcyclists and moped riders must use headlamps or daytime running lamps during daylight hours.

Since poor visibility is a contributing factor in many multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes, daytime headlamps will help make motorcycles more visible to other road users. This requirement applies to riders of all mopeds or motorcycles made after 1 January 1980.

Read the full article on NZTA website

Posted in: News