Keeping our whanau safe on quad bikes
Holidaymakers heading to Mahia this summer are being urged to think about the safety of their whānau before jumping on a quad bike.
Added 2 years ago
Holidaymakers heading to Mahia this summer are being urged to think about the safety of their whānau before jumping on a quad bike.
Police, Roadsafe Hawke’s Bay, and Rongomaiwahine Iwi are joining forces to engage with people and ‘encourage and educate’ them on the safe use of ATVs (All terrain vehicles).
Wairoa Senior Sergeant Maui Aben says the focus is on educating people about the safe use of ATVS, with prosecution as a last resort. “We want people to enjoy their holiday and stay safe and understand the dangers of ATVs when not operated safely,” says Maui.
Maui says the rules are that riders must wear a helmet, not carry passengers be over 16 with a current driver’s licence.
Terence Maru from Rongomaiwahine Iwi Trust says they are keen to support the kaupapa to keep whanau safe and ensure everyone can enjoy their holidays without ATV incidents.
It’s about manaaki for our manuhiri and manaaki for our taiao. “We see so many people come in to Mahia for their holidays with a quad bike and let everyone ride it and carry passengers. It’s all fun until someone gets hurt and we don’t want to see that,” says Terence. Similarly the tidal platforms around Mahia are unique and fragile habitats home to many rare and endemic shorebirds and native fauna. Roadsafe Hawke’s Bay Liz Schlierike says an ATV/quad bike can be a useful piece equipment but can have serious safety risks when used incorrectly.
Police and Iwi will be out and about in December and January engaging with the community and holidaymakers regarding safe ATV use and staying within the rules.
