Improving motorcycling safety is a top priority, because when mistakes happen people on motorcycles are amongst the most vulnerable on our roads and as a result are significantly over-represented in deaths and serious injuries each year. One of the ways we are trying to address this is to improve the safety of motorcycling routes identified as being high-risk.
In 2014 ACC approved a $15 million motorcycle road safety engineering programme to be delivered by NZTA and relevant councils on 50 routes nationwide. The improvement projects, most of which have been completed, aim to reduce or remove risks and/or better protect riders if mistakes do happen.
Interventions include adding more curve warning signs, improving painted markings on the roads, removing roadside hazards and adding underrun barriers to better protect riders if they leave the road.
The pilot projects were completed in the North Island, on the popular Coromandel Loop. The work done there has informed dozens of improvement projects completed since on state highways and other roads in rural areas through to motorway offramps in our biggest city.
Work on the remaining high-risk routes from the original list of 50 is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.
Find out more about the ACC-funded Coromandel Loop projects delivered by NZTA.
Coromandel Loop motorcycling safety improvements
In addition to the projects included in the programme funded by ACC (from the Motorcycle Safety Levy), motorcycling safety has been considered as part of NZTA’s own state highway safety improvements programme.
Learn about NZTA’s State Highway 2 Remutaka Hill project which has included motorcycle underrun barriers to improve safety for riders.
Get access to maps of popular riding routes which note local hazards to be aware of, scenic spots and much more.
Popular riding routes around New Zealand(external link)
Find out about the 3-step process which supports you to build the skills and experience to ride safely on our roads.
Getting your motorcycle licence in New Zealand
Visit ACC’s Ride Forever website for more information and access to funded on-road coaching.
