Tuesday December 2, 2008

North Shore City Council is this week launching a new road safety campaign aimed at reducing the numbers of motorcyclists injured in crashes on the North Shore.

The number of motorcyclists injured in the city has more than doubled over the last five years, rising from 20 to 45 injuries over the past 12 month period.

Currently, the majority of motorcycle crashes involving more than one vehicle occur because the driver fails to see or give way to the motorcyclist. “I just didn’t see him” is the most common response given by car drivers after a crash with a motorcyclist.

Nearly 70 per cent of all collisions at intersections involving a motorcycle and another vehicle are the fault of the driver.

This campaign primarily aims to remind drivers of the need to look longer and harder for motorbikes. Look Twice for Motorbikes is the campaign tagline.

Motorcyclists however will also be targeted with safety messages through the distribution of information resource packs. These packs contain information on what riders can do to minimise their chances of being involved in a crash.

Information covers the value of wearing suitable protective gear, the importance of staying out of vehicle blind spots, how to ensure you are seen by drivers and the need to learn defensive riding techniques to stay safe.

Lisa Gossage, Transport Planner for North Shore City Council says, “All road users have a responsibility to others on the road to behave as safely as possible”.

“The aim of the campaign is make all drivers and riders aware of how crashes happen and what actions they can take to avoid them,” says Mrs Gossage.

North Shore City Council’s campaign is being actively supported by NZ Police, motorcycling clubs, North Shore motorcycling shops and ACC Injury Prevention.

The campaign will run until February 28, 2009 and will feature a free motorcycle safety event towards the end of the campaign.

Safety messages and resource packs are available via the North Shore City Council’s website. To find out more, or for a chance to win a $250 MTA voucher, visit: www.northshorecitygovt.nz/motorcycles

Important facts and statistics

- Ownership on the North Shore of both smaller and larger motorbikes has risen substantially, with registrations for 49 -250cc and 1000cc plus both up around 100 per cent in the period from 2003 to 2007.

- Moped registrations have risen even more, increasing 270 per cent over the same period.

- Predictions are that registrations for motorcycles and mopeds will continue to rise, making education around motorcycle and moped safety an increasingly important issue.

ENDS

© Scoop Media