An opportunity to reduce road trauma and raise awareness amongst riders was the driver behind a joint-agency motorbike safety campaign conducted in the Coromandel today.
Officer in charge of Operation Up Right, Senior Sergeant Jeff Penno, said in the end the weather was the winner with moderate rain meaning fewer than usual numbers of motorcyclists out on the roads.
Mr Penno said a key driver behind today's initiative was that key partners and the local community had all raised concerns with Police about the number of road crashes involving either the death or injury of motor cyclists on the Coromandel Peninsular.
"To that end we, together with ACC, the Thames Coromandel District Council, NZTA and interested community groups ran a mixed education and enforcement operation targeting identified high risk groups in an effort to reduce road trauma.
"Studies have shown us motorcyclists are 16 times more likely to be involved in a crash than other motorists and if they are, the risk of being killed or seriously injured is far higher than those for a car driver or passenger."
Those at risk fall into two clear age groups; 30-50 year olds and 15-25 year olds. Men are six times more likely to crash their motorcycles than women and the most common home locations of crash victims is split between local residents and Auckland riders .
Mr Penno said Police weren't alone in recognising the dangers.
"Road trauma and the associated social cost of motor cycle crashes have been identified in both the Safer Journeys 2020 national strategy document and in the Waikato Regional Road Safety Strategy as a high priority."
While enforcement and compliance play key parts in the operation education and preventative measures are also major components.
ACC Injury Prevention Consultant, Lisa Taylor, said a key focus of the operation from an educational point of view is providing information to riders about basic vehicle maintenance and riding with the correct gear designed for motorbike riding.
"Wearing gear that is designed for motorbike riding can make all the difference to your safety and it can improve the enjoyment of your ride by protecting you from sunburn and windburn.
"Many people think that normal "street style" footwear is ok on your bike. But if you are wearing lace up shoes or elastic top street boots, they are more likely to come off in a slide or a crash and expose your feet to the hard and unforgiving surface of the road.
Ms Taylor said ACC figures showed there are two main causes for motorbike crashes.
"These are motorcyclists losing control of their bikes and other motorists simply not seeing the rider.
"Riders need to ride there own ride and do everything they can to protect themselves by being aware of what’s happening around them at all times. This is really important on roads in the Coromandel, which are windy, have hidden driveways and high traffic volumes."
Both Mr Penno and Ms Taylor agree the key message from this operation is that the scenery is spectacular along the Coromandel's roads and riders should enjoy the ride- not the race.
Note for media; Results from the operation are still being collated and are expected to be available later this afternoon.
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