Wairarapa Police continue focus on motorcyclists

Wairarapa Police are extending November's Motorcycle Focus Month throughout the summer months, to continue education around safe riding practices.

Sergeant Chris Megaw, head of the Wairarapa Police Strategic Traffic Unit says the focus month throughout November was a good opportunity to educate local motorcyclists about correct riding gear and riding style, making sure motorcyclists know the basics before getting behind their bike.

"Our focus over the summer months is to educate motorcyclists who tend to ride recreationally in the weekends, including riders from out of town. Our focus is not on issuing tickets but to ensure the safety of riders is paramount."

Sergeant Megaw says it's well known that the risk of a motorcyclist being killed or seriously injured in a crash is about 18 times higher than for someone driving a car.

"With the warmer weather we're having, we know there will be more recreational riders on Wairarapa roads and Police are doing all we can to ensure we keep road users safe this summer."

Last year, there were eight serious crashes in the Wairarapa involving motorcyclists or moped riders and Police do not want motorcyclists to be 'just another statistic' this summer.