$4m motorbike safety boost

ACC Minister Nikki Kaye has welcomed the $4 million investment in motorbike initiatives in 2015/16 advised by the Motorcycle Safety Advisory Council (MSAC). The council represents the motorcycling community and advises ACC on action that will make it safer on Kiwi roads. “Part of this investment will go towards re-engineering identified high-risk routes in urban and rural areas,” says Kaye. “The aim is to help reduce the number and severity of motorcyclist injuries resulting from poor road design, maintenance or surface condition. “There’s also investment in educational campaigns to encourage motorists to be more aware of motorcyclists.” Previous projects supported by the MSAC include improving Coromandel roads popular with two-wheelers, and helping develop video-equipped motorcycles to identify road-engineering solutions from a biker’s perspective. “Because of their lack of protection compared to car drivers, motorcyclists have a much higher risk of serious injury in a crash,” adds Kaye. “The MSAC plays a key role in identifying ways to reduce this risk. “I recently met with chairman Mark Gilbert to discuss the council’s recent achievements and its focus moving forwards. It’s keen to keep building on work done to improve road engineering and foster a stronger safety culture on the road. “They’re also keen to work more collaboratively with other agencies on ways to enhance motorcyclists’ safety.I look forward to updates about plans and progress towards their goals.” The council’s 2014-16 strategic plan can be downloaded by clicking here. The MSAC was set up in 2011 to oversee investment of the motorcycle safety levy (MSL) fund.The MSL is a $30 levy collected when motorcyclists register their bikes. Money collected through the levy is earmarked exclusively for improving motorcyclists’ safety on New Zealand roads.It’s MSAC’s job to advise and recommend to ACC how to invest this money, and ensure it is spent on initiatives that will make motorcycling safer.