Latest news with #TravelSafe
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Scoop
Be Bright, Be Safe, Be Seen – It's Your Time To Shine This Winter!
If you cycle, walk or scoot, keep an eye out for pop-up checkpoints along main cycle routes over the next two weeks, reminding you to shine brightly in the upcoming darker months to stay safe. The pop-ups are part of the 'Be Bright, Be Safe, Be Seen' campaign led by Travel Safe — a joint initiative between Tauranga City Council, Western Bay of Plenty District Council and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi. Commuters travelling by bike, foot or scooter are encouraged to stop for a chat and check they're properly kitted out to be safe and seen from dusk till dawn this winter. Arataki Ward Councillor Rick Curach says people cycling, walking, running or scootering are some of our most vulnerable road users and should ensure they can be seen by other path or road users, especially during times of low light and poor visibility. 'Whether you're commuting to work, study or school, being active for fun or fitness, or popping down to the local shops, we want to encourage people to take extra care and keep safe by being fully visible on the roads,' says Rick. 'Being seen is essential to keeping safe. Using front and rear bike lights and wearing bright, reflective and high-visibility clothing are simple ways for people being active to improve their visibility. I always make sure I'm easily visible when I am using my electric scooter.' When cycling at night or in low-visibility conditions, bikes must have a red rear light (steady or flashing) and a white or yellow front light (only one may flash), both visible from at least 200 metres. Pedal reflectors are also required on the front and back of each pedal; if these are not fitted, the rider must wear reflective material. For more information on road safety, visit
Scoop
07-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Helmet Surprise For Tauranga Students
Five Tauranga school students received a huge surprise when they were presented with their winning helmets as part of Travel Safe's 'Design Your Own Helmet' competition, while filming a video about the importance of wearing one. The students were brought together under the guise of interviewing Health New Zealand Bay of Plenty Trauma Medical Director Jacques Marnewick. During the interview, Jacques highlighted how helmets play a critical role in preventing serious head injuries, which are a major cause of hospitalisation and death in cycling accidents. 'We know from our hospital data that about a third of patients admitted to hospital following a cycling accident were not wearing a helmet,' he explains. 'The sad reality is that without a helmet, the risk of a moderate or severe head injury is much, much higher. Wearing a properly fitting helmet is a simple and effective way to reduce the risk of these life-changing injuries. I cannot emphasise enough how important it is – it could be the difference between life and death.' When it was Jacques' turn with the mic, he asked the students if they knew who won the helmet competition. After receiving a resounding 'no', he surprised them by presenting their winning helmets. The students were left speechless and thrilled to see their designs brought to life. Year 4 student Lukas Philip (pictured below) says he always wears a helmet: 'If we don't, we can fall and really hurt ourselves.' Arataki Ward Councillor Rick Curach knows first-hand the importance of wearing a helmet after sustaining serious injuries falling from his electric scooter in 2019. He believes his helmet saved him from an extremely serious head injury and praised Travel Safe's initiative, calling it a fun and creative way to promote helmet safety. 'Every year, our Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty schools embrace this competition. This year, we received 1299 entries! It's a wonderful opportunity for students to express their creativity while keeping bike safety top of mind.' Acting Manager Safety and Sustainability Karen Hay said the competition also serves as a timely reminder to check helmet quality and fit. 'Make sure your helmet is still in good condition – check the shell, foam, and straps for any damage,' she explains. 'A helmet only works properly if it fits well. We recommend the '2-4-1' method: two fingers between your helmet and eyebrows, four fingers making a V-shape around your ears, and one finger between your chin and the buckle.' The competition will reopen again in October this year. Keep an eye onTravel Safe's Facebook pagefor details. 2025 Design your own helmet category winners: Year 1 and 2 – Milly Stephenson, Omanu School Year 3 and 4 – Lukas Philip, Tahatai Coast School Year 5 and 6 – Eunyu Jung, Tauranga Primary School Year 7 and 8 – Ally Fungsathian, Ōtūmoetai Intermediate Year 9-13 – Zofia, Mount Maunganui College Teacher – Scott Higgins, Mount Maunganui Intermediate
