Safer Rides Southern Coromandel

This project is centred on the southern half of a popular motorcycle touring route along State Highway 25 and State Highway 26. The 130-kilometres scenic loop passes through Kopu, Whangamata, Waihi and Paeroa. A series of safety improvements are being trialed in order to reduce the number and severity of crashes involving motorcyclists on this route. Successful initiatives can help improve safety for other popular motorcycling routes around the country.

Use our interactive map to explore the project initiatives to be trialed to improve motorcycle safety and give us your feedback.

Project overview

Crash data has identified that certain parts of this highway loop pose significant risks to recreational motorcyclists. The Safer Rides multi-agency project has introduced a series of safety improvements to the route such as: upgraded signage, road markings, work to improve visibility, hazard removal/modification, as well as new rescue helicopter landing areas.

Helping riders to better understand and cope with the challenges on the route is also an important part of the project.

Project partners

This project involves partners (including the Motorcycle Safety Advisory Council, ACC, NZ Police, Waikato Regional Council, Thames-Coromandel and Hauraki District councils and motorcycle user groups) working with the Transport Agency.

Three focus areas

The project has three main areas of focus:

  • Helping to keep riders on their bikes with innovative road markings and upgraded signage around some deceptive corners, improved surface condition as well as work to improve visibility.

  • Creating a more forgiving environment by removing or modifying various roadside hazards to help reduce the severity of potential injuries if riders do crash.

  • Getting medical treatment to injured riders as quickly as possible via four new rescue helicopter landing areas.

More information