Some of New Zealand's most dangerous rural highways are being upgraded as part of a programme targeting high-risk routes for motorcyclists.

The safety improvements on numerous sections of 25 rural roads are part of the Road and Roadsides programme, a joint venture between ACC and Waka Kotahi.

ACC injury prevention partner and Ride Forever programme manager David Keilty says while motorcyclists make up just 3 per cent of road users in New Zealand, they account for 20 per cent of road-related injury claims.

Research also shows the likelihood of death or serious injury for motorcyclists is 21 times higher than a car driver travelling over the same distance.

ACC figures show that over the past 10 years, an average of almost 7,200 people lodged motorcycle-related injury claims. In 2021, ACC was supporting more than 7,500 people who had suffered a road-related motorbike injury, at a total cost of more than $111 million.

'ACC is committed to reducing the number and severity of motorcycle injuries that occur on New Zealand roads and this is one way we're investing in motorcycle safety,” Keilty says.

September is Motorcycle Awareness Month. Photo: Supplied.

Several routes within the Bay of Plenty region are in line for upgrades. These are Whakatāne to Matatā via SH30 and the Pacific Coast Highway; the Tauranga-Rotorua-Tauranga loop via state highways 29, 28, 5, and 36; and a loop between Tauranga and Hamilton.

Numerous sections of these routes will receive safety upgrades. Details of the Tauranga-Hamilton route have yet to be determined.

The $6.3 million programme is due to be completed by 2024 and is designed to reduce the number of fatal motorcycle crashes, and the injury severity for motorcyclists should a crash occur.

The road improvements involve a range of motorcycle-friendly safety measures, such as installing rub rails on existing roadside barriers; installing or replacing signs; sealing driveways; installing LCD panels; and removing trees.

The upgrades for each road are recommended by Waka Kotahi and approved by ACC. Funding comes from the Motorcycle Safety Levy (MSL), which riders contribute to through their motorcycle registration fee.

ACC data shows motorcycle-related claims generally increase in September, which is why it is Motorcycle Awareness Month – an initiative run by ACC and the Motorcycle Safety Awareness Council (MSAC) to celebrate the start of the 'riding season” and encourage riders to get 'ride-ready”.

The initiative encourages riders to pay more attention, especially at intersections, as more bikes take to the road.

Associate Minister for ACC Willie Jackson launching Motorcycle Awareness Month. Photo: Supplied.

Associate Minister for ACC Willie Jackson launched Motorcycle Awareness Month on September 1, with a display of helmets to mark the 50 riders and pillions killed on New Zealand's roads every year.

'Figures show more than 50 per cent of motorcyclists deregister and put their bikes away over the winter months,” Keilty says.

'September is when most riders get their bikes out of the garage after storing them during winter.”

Keilty says riders should make sure their personal protective gear is still in good condition before getting back on their bikes.

'At the end of the day, the only thing between you and the road in the event of a crash is the gear you choose to wear,” he says.

'It's an old saying but still very much relevant: dress for the slide and not the ride.”

As of June 30, ACC had accepted 4095 claims for motorcycle-related injuries in 2022.

ACC is one of the partners in the Government's Road to Zero campaign, which sets a target of reducing annual road-related deaths and serious injuries by 40 per cent by 2030.

It also runs the Ride Forever coaching programme for motorcyclists.

Data shows riders who have completed a Ride Forever coaching course are up to 50 per cent less likely to lodge a motorcycle-related accident claim than non-trained riders. More information about Ride Forever can be found here: www.rideforever.co.nz.

Most high-risk rural routes for motorcyclists

Under way/completed:

SH53 between Featherston and Martinborough (completed)

Wellington to Pahiatua via SH 1 and 2 (including Remutaka Hill Rd)

Haywards to Paekākāriki via SH58 and Paekākāriki Hill Rd

SH60 from Motueka to Upper Tākaka

Whakatāne to Matatā via SH30 and Pacific Coast Highway

Hamilton to Tirau via Cambridge (SH1 and SH1C)

SH75 Tai Tapu to Akaroa

To be upgraded:

Whangārei to Waitangi via Waipoua

Russell to Whangārei via Whakapara

SH1 Auckland to Drury

Howick to Whakatiwai via Clevedon

Auckland to Paihia via Titirangi

Auckland to Mangawhai

Hunua to Pukekohe (Hunua loop)

Wellsford to Waipu

Tauranga to Hamilton loop

Tauranga to Rotorua loop (SH28, 29, 5, 36)

Mangakino to Kihikihi

SH39 Hamilton Bypass

Hangatiki to Urenui via Piopio

New Plymouth to Whanganui

Whanganui to Taumarunui

New Plymouth to Hawera (Mt Taranaki loop)

Featherston to Martinborough via SH2 and Western Lake Rd

Featherston to Hastings

Motorcycle-related claims by month (10-year totals, 2012-2021)

January – 7286

February – 7444

March – 7189

April – 5666

May – 5645

June – 4678

July – 4392

August – 4540

September – 4901

October – 6372

November – 6832

December – 6831