Motorcycle Safety Body Starts its Journey

Wellington, March 24, 2011

The inauguration of the Motorcycle Safety Advisory Council marks an exciting new development for New Zealand riders, Chairman Gareth Morgan said today.

The Council (MSAC) has been set up to implement initiatives in rider safety that would not otherwise happen through existing government agencies. It is funded by a $30 portion of the registration fee on every motorcycle, moped or scooter, known as the Motorcycle Safety Levy (MSL).

“What makes this so significant is that it is motorcyclists themselves directing the priorities,” said Morgan. “We as riders know plenty of ways in which the hazards we face can be reduced. And they are often simple, commonsense measures that get overlooked.”

MSAC is not a government agency but it has been set up with the assistance of ACC at the direction of its Minister, Dr. Nick Smith. Dr Morgan is keen to stress the independence of the new body, and its potential for innovative solutions. “We’re not beholden to ACC, the Police, Ministry of Transport or NZTA,” he says. “Instead, our job is to use the funds levied on riders’ registrations to direct things, we riders want to see.”

The inspiration for the MSL/MSAC initiative is a similar - and highly successful - scheme in Victoria. The Minister decided an equivalent was worth trying here. According to Dr Morgan, there’s a powerful case for it. “Far too many New Zealand riders are getting killed and injured on our roads,” he states. “ACC have a vested interest in this succeeding, of course. It will reduce their exposure to claims costs. But the motivation of the council is to save riders’ lives and prevent serious injury.”

Dr Morgan senses that the biggest potential is to harness the instinctive knowledge and experience of motorcyclists. “Bikers accept that riding is dangerous. But what we do not accept are things that make it unnecessarily dangerous. We can spot these things and we know what can make it safer while not interfering with the enjoyment of riding. These are things non-riders do not always understand.”

The new council consists of [eight] members, appointed by the Minister. All are motorcyclists and all have experience of driving public policy. In addition to Gareth Morgan as Chairman, Paul Searancke is Deputy Chairman, with Bill Grice, Brent Hutchison, David Crawford, Jess Corbett, Peter McIntosh and Yvonne Forrest as council members.

Having got under way, the MSAC is focused on getting action started. The council members will agree on a set of initial priorities and implement them. “The sooner we start getting things done, the sooner we start saving lives,” says Dr Morgan. “It’s as simple as that. Once we have the first initiatives going, we want to hear from other riders with sound ideas and plans.”

The new council will be setting up a website that will keep New Zealand motorcyclists informed of what is happening and ways to contribute to future plans. “This is for motorcyclists, funded by motorcyclists and directed by motorcyclists,” says Dr Morgan. “It’s an incredible opportunity and we intend to make the most of it.”

ENDS

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