Latest Articles

Free Scooter Training - 12 May, Dunedin

Tue, 08 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Venue: Block A car park, Otago Polytechnic, St David's Street, Dunedin
Date & time: 9.00am on 12th May 2011
Contact: Warren Joyce at Dunedin Driving School on tel 4544184 or w.joyce@xtra.co.nz

Free 3hr ACC Scooter Course - North Shore

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0000

ACC are running a free 3hr scooter course. This is open to all scooters 50cc up to 300cc.

Where: Massey University on the North Shore

When: Sunday 22 April, 9am start

The course will cover:

Rider clothing
How to conduct a safety check on your scooter
Slow-speed riding
Handling skills
Emergency breaking
Hazard avoidance techniques

If you are interested in attending please email info@ridertraining.co.nz or call/text Dawn on 021 0334766.

NZ joins planet earth, shock!

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0000

In case you’ve been living under a stone – or repairing the gearbox on your Norton Commando, which is pretty much the same thing – you’ll have heard that the give way rules change on the 25th of March.

Basically, we will be joining the rest of the world and abandoning the stupid, perverse and counterintuitive rule that means you have to give way to right-turning traffic when you are turning left. Also gone is the ‘letting someone turning out of a side road when you are turning right into it’ madness. (Although, it has to be said, in all the time I have driven on New Zealand roads I have never seen anyone obey the latter.)

If you find the new rules confusing check out the NZTA advice at http://www.giveway.co.nz/interactive.

From the 25th onwards, turning off a road to the left becomes much easier. You just do it - having checked behind and indicated, of course. This is as it should be because we drive on the left, so keeping left or going left is moving to your ‘safe’ side. Equally sane is turning off a main road to the right worrying only about oncoming traffic (with a quick lifesaver to check for overtaking nutters). The very idea of the old rule - sitting there, waiting shy of the junction on your right for someone to make their way out of it and join a major road - was bonkers.

While what happens at 5.00am on the 25th is undoubtedly a change for the better, don’t rely on it going smoothly. Expect general muppetry, not just on the day but for some time after.

Until June, at least, I’ll be viewing anyone negotiating a junction at the same time as me as an accident waiting to happen. One slip of the memory is all it takes. Assume nothing.

Scooter Safety Event in Otago

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Otago University and Polytechnic are running a great scooter safety event

Where: Outside St David Lecture Theatre

When: Thursday 15th March from 10 am to 2pm.

Come along to this free workshop to answer all your questions with free scooter maintained checks, expert advice on scooter skills, a skills course to try, free sausage sizzle, competitions and great prizes

Scooter Ride - Auckland 10 March

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Scootling Auckland are running a scooter ride from Scootling (310 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn) to the 95 bFM Summer Series at Silo Park, Wynyard quarter in downtown Auckland on 10 March 2012.

We'll assemble at 11.30am at Scootling, and arrive at Silo park approx 12pm for the bFM Summer Series with a free barbie!.

This ride is free, but please just register by emailing lora@scootling.co.nz with your name so we know how many scoots are amassing.

Auckland Scooter Training in March

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Book a free scooter training course!

To support scooter riders in Auckland to be the best scooter riders they can be, ACC is running three scooter training sessions across Auckland in March 2012. 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:

Saturday 10th March 2012 - 9am-12pm - Avondale Go-Kart Track
Sunday 11th March 2012 - 9am-12pm - Passrite Driving Academy, Onehunga ('Pink My Ride' - this session is aimed at women riders but men are also welcome!)
Saturday 17th March 2012 - 9am-12pm - Massey University Carpark, Albany

To register please contact: Hannah Gordon (Phone: 09 448 9856 / Email: hannah.gordon@acc.co.nz) or Anjina Raman (Phone: 09 354 8378 / Email: anjina.raman@acc.co.nz)

One-on-One Scooter Training in Auckland

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0000

A free one-on-one scooter training course is being offered in the Auckland area. Spaces are limited to 20 riders so be quick. To book, please contact Rider Skills - www.riderskills.co.nz / Freephone 0800 BIKETRAINING (0800 245 387)

Tauranga scooter course - 24 March

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

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.

Pink my Ride Hamilton Scooter Course

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

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

Safer Journeys for Motorcycling

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

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/