Safety's the word for kids

Coppers on Choppers are coming to Rotorua, pictured from left are Constable Grant Kenny, Constable Megan D'Oliveira and Constable Rob Gormly. Photo/Supplied.

Rotorua Primary School students will get a lesson in road safety from three biking police officers touring the country in retro style.

The team is known as Coppers on Choppers and they are riding from Cape Reinga to Wellington on Raleigh Choppers to promote bike, scooter and driveway safety.

Constables Grant Kenny, Megan D'Oliveira and Rob Gormly are community constables from the Waitemata District. They aim to cover the 1152km in 18 days. They started their journey yesterday.

On Monday they set off from Tirau to Rotorua. They will visit Wairakei Primary School on Tuesday.

The bikes are Mark III Raleigh Choppers bought from TradeMe.

"They've been adapted to fit and the gears have been improved," said Lindy Lawn, Glenfield Community Policing Centre watchhouse officer.

"New Zealand roads have changed a lot since the Choppers first sprang to fame in the 70s, and the bikes have been quite a hit with both adults and kids."

The aim is to raise awareness among kids about bike, scooter and driveway safety.

"In the course of their work our three community constables see a lot of near-miss accidents and helmets not being worn, and they want to reduce trauma on our roads. The presentation the team are giving to the various schools along the ride involves their bikes, eggs and an adult-sized scooter."

Rotorua police youth education officer Viv Sutton said the concept of Coppers on Choppers was "fantastic".

"I love the whole retro look and I think they've got a really good message."