New legislation targeting learner motorcycle riders will help save lives, says the head of Wanganui's Ulysses club.
From next month, people on learner or restricted licences will be allowed to ride bikes up to 660cc as long as the power-to-weight ratio does not exceed 150 kilowatts per tonne.
At present, the most powerful bikes novices can ride are 250cc.
"To be perfectly honest, some 250[cc bikes] go like a rocket," Lorraine Neal, co-ordinator of the Ulysses Club Wanganui branch said. "Why is it specifically a 250 you have to learn on?"
The new rules are aimed at reducing the number of motorcycle deaths on New Zealand roads. Motorcyclists are 20 times more likely to be seriously injured or killed in a crash than other motorists.
Just last month Harley-Davidson rider Shane Beckham, 41, died on State Highway 3 just north of Kai Iwi when he was thrown from his bike and landed in a paddock.
But rather than limiting the engine size of motorbikes for learner riders, Ms Neal said they should attend compulsory "stay upright" courses. "It teaches you how to handle your bike, it teaches you how to handle it in an emergency - I just think everybody should have to do that."
When Ms Neal obtained her licence in Australia, the handling course was compulsory, she said.
Currently, riders are limited to choosing a bike that falls within the appropriate engine capacity for their licence class, regardless of their weight or size.
Motorcycle drivers over 25 or those who have completed an approved defensive driving course can also reduce the time they need to spend at the restricted level.
But under the new laws, it will become harder to obtain a motorcycle licence as tougher standards for the basic handling skills test kick in.
Associate Transport Minister Simon Bridges announced the changes earlier this week.
"In the past 10 years, 370 motor cyclists have been killed and more than 10,000 have been injured on New Zealand roads, and annual motorcycle casualties have increased by 58 per cent," he said.
"These measure, in addition to those introduced last year, will help motorcyclists begin their riding careers safely."
However, a motorcycling advocate warned that safety for motorcyclists would not improve unless appropriate courses up-skilling riders were introduced.
"If you don't improve their riding skills, then you're not improving their safety on the roads," said Finn Nielsen, coordinator for the Ride Right Ride Safe programme and member of the national Bike Rights Organisation.
"The courses they have available are only for people in cars."
Without specific courses for motorcyclists, safety on the road would continue to be a major concern, he added. APNZ
Cost of motorcycle and scooter injuries in Wanganui
1 of the 21 people killed so far this year on motorcycles was from Wanganui.
51 The number of claims ACC has approved so far this year, costing the taxpayer $78,233.
69 were approved in 2011, costing $205,242.