How To Stay Safe When Traveling New Zealand By Motorcycle
Picture it: winding roads snaking through a mountain pass, eventually emerging onto a coastal road immersed in fog, almost tasting the salt spray from the ocean on the cliff roads… all on a motorcycle. The wind is whipping around you and you can feel the sun on your back, and life is just perfect.
While traveling through New Zealand is relatively easy and obviously absolutely gorgeous, with less overall population clogging up the roads and fairly new road conditions, there’s always risks, especially when traveling via motorcycle. If traveling this way still sounds like the ideal way to experience New Zealand, then we’ve got you covered in how to enjoy every second safely and securely from start to finish.
How to hire
Whether you’re a Kiwi yourself, or just visiting the country on holiday, motorcycle hire in New Zealand is fairly straightforward. International motorcycle drivers licenses are usually accepted (translations required if license is in another language) and the age requirement is typically 21 and older. However, fees can sometimes be imposed if you are under the age of 25, just as insurance is often more expensive for drivers under 25. Please note that different rental companies may have different requirements or fees, so make sure to do your research before signing a contract.
Depending on your route and where you’re flying into, we would recommend hiring out of the bigger cities, such as motorcycle rental in Queenstown or Auckland. Not only will you get a better deal because of the nearby competition, but you’ll also be able to start and end your trip in the same place you fly in and out of.
Safety tips
Motorcycle deaths are some of the more common road related deaths, often due to safety failures or lack of safety items. Make sure that when you’re hiring a motorcycle or even riding your own, to outfit yourself in proper motorcycle gear. Motorcycle helmets, full clothing and gloves, and sturdy shoes like these options are extremely important to your safety.
New Zealand is known for their often treacherous, winding, and tiny roads. The more remote you get, the worse the roads might be. With that said, they can be an absolute joy to ride when you’re on a motorcycle. Leaning into the curves and whipping around corners can make you feel like a kid again in NZ. The road rules around these curvy roads will be mostly the same as the other roads, however make sure you’re slowing down, especially in the rain or misty weather as the roads can get quite slippery.
Another safety tip you might not always think about is exposed skin. NZ has some intense sun, with less ozone protecting you from sunburn. If you’re allowing any skin to be exposed while riding, you have a strong chance of a quick and intense sunburn, so prepare your day trip with sunscreen before you get into your gear.
Road rules
It might seem like a bit of a joke, but the constant signs that state you must drive on the left side of the road are there for a reason! New Zealand obviously drives on the left, and the driver seat is on the right side of the car. For international motorcyclists who are used to driving on the right, please remember that this can take some time to get use to. Always be aware, especially when turning into traffic, to look both ways.
Passing on NZ roads can be really dangerous, so you’ll want to wait until there are passing lanes – common in NZ – or until the vehicle in front if you moves over to let you pass. The same goes for you as a motorist, make sure you’re moving over into the slow lane or into the shoulder if safe, and allow traffic to pass.
Roundabouts are another common feature of NZ. One of the most ignored road rule with roundabouts is remembering to signal in and out of them. If you’re turning left, signal left into and out of the roundabout. If turning right, signal right all the way around until you’re about to turn out of it, then signal left. For going straight through a roundabout, enter without signaling, and then signal left before you exit. Essentially, signal the direction you’re going to turn in or out of the roundabout. For more information, take a look at this website with visual aids. For more road rules in NZ, please visit this handbook page.
One telltale way to know you’re in the remote areas of New Zealand is when you start seeing one lane bridges and sheep crossings. To safely navigate a one lane bridge, take a look at the sign just prior. The sign will show two arrows, one larger than the other. If the arrow pointing in your direction is larger, you have the right of way and can cross the bridge first in case of oncoming traffic. NAturally fi there is already a vehicle on the bridge, you’ll need to yield until they’ve crossed.
Animals are another legitimate road hazard in good old New Zealand, so keep this in mind when traveling, especially by motorcycle. Due to the high populations of sheep, cattle and other farm animals, roads are often used to move animals from one paddock to another, resulting in a bit of a road cluster. Farmers are often good about marking roads before hand, but always take care and be aware in cattle country.
One final word of advice is to always take your time in New Zealand. Not only is this a safety tip, but it’s also a general tip for you to fully enjoy the road. New Zealand is something special, something that will absolutely blow you away with beautiful scenery, so take the time to enjoy it. Many other drivers will be doing the same, including stopping suddenly to see that epic view, or overestimating their speed around a corner, so stay safe by driving defensively and slowly.
For a few more resources, check out this guide for international drivers in NZ, as well as this more specific motorcycle road code.