Bikies hit the road for Motorcycle Awareness Month

Drivers are being urged to be more aware of their surroundings as motorcycle accidents rise.

The latest ACC data shows a 24 percent spike in claims involving motorcyclists in the space of two months. Motorcyclists made up 14 percent of all road deaths last year, despite only being 3 percent of road users.

Spokesperson David Kielty says things can turn bad very quickly.

"We don't have the same infrastructure, the same protection other road users have. We don't have that metal cage around us."

The message is part of Motorcycle Awareness Month, which starts on Sunday. Kielty says injury claims increase as the weather warms up.

"More motorcyclists are going to be out and about as we get bikes out of hibernation."

Kielty says it is important that motorcyclists are prepared.

"Making sure that your skills are up to speed, your bike is up to scratch, that you're being obvious in the way that you interact with car drivers and they know what you're going to do."

A Motorcycle Awareness Month event is being held in Auckland on Saturday at 10:30am at Cyclespot on Barry's Point Rd, Takapuna, where there will be prizes, coffee and bike check-ups on offer.

Newshub.