- September is here! It’s the official start of the riding season for many Kiwi motorcyclists.
- Be aware on the roads. With a 50% increase in bikes, it’s a crucial time for all road users to be extra vigilant.
- The month is all about promoting safe riding and encouraging you to check out the Ride Forever website for tips and courses.
The calendar has almost turned to September, and that means one thing for many riders: it’s time to get back on the road. As the days grow longer and the temperatures rise, the rumble of engines will become a more common sound. September is a significant month for the motorcycle community, marking the start of the summer riding season, with an incredible 50% increase in the number of bikes on our roads. It’s for this very reason that September is designated as Motorcycle Awareness Month (MAM).
This month-long initiative isn’t just a simple reminder; it’s a vital campaign aimed at promoting safety and saving lives. The central theme of MAM is to ensure that everyone—whether on two wheels or four—is prepared for the increase in motorcycle traffic.
For Riders: Refresh Your Skills and Ride Forever
After a winter spent with bikes in storage or on fewer rides, September is the perfect time for a refresh. This is where Ride Forever comes in. The core goal of MAM is to encourage all riders to visit the Ride Forever website, a comprehensive hub for motorcycle safety and education.
The site is packed with a wealth of free tips and advice, covering everything from navigating urban traffic to mastering your lean angle. But the true value lies in their courses. From the Urban Commuter course designed to sharpen your skills in city traffic to the Advanced Rider Training that can elevate your confidence on winding roads, Ride Forever courses are a proven way to reduce your risk and improve your riding. A small investment in a course could pay huge dividends in skill and confidence for the season ahead.
For Drivers: It’s a Shared Responsibility
While riders are encouraged to brush up on their skills, a huge part of Motorcycle Awareness Month is about the rest of the road-using community. As the number of bikes increases, drivers need to be extra vigilant. The campaign from ACC urges drivers to take a moment before changing lanes, to check their mirrors and blind spots for motorcycles and to always assume a rider might be approaching and give them the space they need. By being more aware, drivers play a critical role in preventing accidents and ensuring everyone gets to their destination safely.
Show Your Support: Wear Yellow for MAM
You can get behind Motorcycle Awareness Month this year in a simple yet powerful way: by wearing yellow. It doesn’t have to be a full-on high-vis vest, jacket or helmet, but instead could simply be a small accessory or sticker. But simply displaying a splash of yellow is a clear visual cue that you’re part of a community that values safety and awareness. It’s a great way to show your support while also hopefully making yourself more visible on the road.
Working together this September will hopefully result in making our roads safer and more respectful for all. By educating ourselves and being more aware of others, we can ensure that this spring and summer are filled with nothing but great riding.
For further details or to check out the resources on the Ride Forever website, head HERE.
And to find and book your nearest Ride Forever course, head HERE.
