OFF THE WIRE
HELEN MURDOCH
stuff.co.nz
Nelson motorcyclists have got some firm ideas about what needs to happen to stop motorcycling deaths, including improving roads and better educating motorists, as a new Government-appointed safety group gets to work.
A seven-member advisory Motorcycle Safety Advisory Council has been announced by Nelson MP and ACC minister Nick Smith and includes Nelson Motorcycle Club vice-president Paul Searancke.
It is chaired by prominent economist and motorcyclist Gareth Morgan.
Its annual $2 million budget will be drawn from the $30 motorcycle safety levy imposed on all bike owners as part of their annual registration.
The council's formation has partly stemmed from the angry reaction of riders to the high increase in ACC motorcycle levies proposed in 2009, which saw thousands of riders mount a 5000-strong protest at Parliament.
Many of those responsible for the protest ride are on the council.
Mr Searancke, who has been named as deputy chairman, said the council's focus would be decided at its first meeting next month.
"But one of the first things we want to do is decrease the number of fatal and serious injuries among riders.
"We want to make the most difference we can with the money we have and work on the areas where we can make the most gains."
The big positive was that the council was made up of motorcyclists, he said.
Mr Searancke believed the council would be successful.
A similar safety programme in Victoria, Australia, has seen motorcycle deaths and serious injuries fall by 20 per cent since it came into force in 2002.
Victoria have good information they are willing to share with us," he said.
"Motorcycling is great – we just need to make sure fewer riders get hurt and killed."
Dr Smith said his key concern was the growing list of motorcycle accidents, fatalities and Accident Compensation Corporation claims.
"In the last decade we have seen the number of riders killed go from 30 to 50 and claims rise from 1000 to 4000.
"The key objective is to reverse this disturbing trend."
Dr Smith said the council's performance would be reviewed after two years.
"We will want to see if we are getting a shift in this deadly trend."
It took two years for Victoria to stop its rider injury and death rate rising after the state's motorcycle safety programme was initiated, he said.
Dr Smith said he did not want to pre-empt the council's future review criteria.
"But the accident list is telling and I am interested in results."
Nelson motorcyclist Andy Watson said he wanted to see the council lobby for an end to police chases.
Feedback "We are killing riders and often they are over trivial paperwork – like the lack of registration," he said.
Mr Watson said some sections of road were also killing riders. "Some parts are OK but most are shocking."
And many of the region's drivers and cyclists were oblivious to riders.
"Some drivers do not seem to see anything smaller than a Mack truck at intersections."
Nelson rider Jason Howcroft wants to see the council support changes to road design, including the removal of wire "cheese cutter" barriers.
"Getting rid of them would save a few lives."
He also wanted to see drivers and cyclists targeted by a public awareness campaign focusing on the vulnerability of riders.
"The drink-driving campaigns have changed public attitudes so a similar one for riders could do the same."
Nelson rider trainer Karel Pavich said riders had to take more responsibility for their own behaviour and for bike control.
"We need to provide incentives for riders to up-skill their riding ability so they have more attention to deal with the other hazards on the road."
MOTORCYCLE TOLL
Fifty New Zealanders died in motorcycle accidents in 2010, up from 30 in 2000. 66 per cent rise in motorcycle road toll compared to 24 per cent decrease in overall road toll since 2000. Motorcyclists make up 3 per cent of registered vehicles but 13 per cent of fatalities. ACC motorcycle claims risen from 1072 in 2000 to 4110 in 2010
