Just over half the fatal crashes in Northland this year have involved motorcyclists.

Four of the seven victims of fatal crashes have been motorcyclists and Police are urging riders to take more care when on the roads.

Northland Road Policing Manager Inspector Murray Hodson says speed was a significant factor in the crashes.

In two of the cases the riders were not wearing helmets.

'We can't blame the road or weather as all the crashes have occurred when conditions were favourable.

Mr Hodson says motorcycles can travel as fast as cars, but do not have the safety features that cars do 'If you make a mistake on motorcycle you are highly likely to be killed or seriously injured, as the forces of a collision are taken up by the rider and the bike.”

To increase the safety of motorcyclists on the roads, Mr Hodson suggests motorcyclists: ride within their skill level; leave enough following space to stop safely; avoid getting distracted; get the right gear for protection such as heavy duty jackets, trousers, and shoes or boots; keep an eye on the weather - riding in the rain is much riskier than driving a car.

'Motorcyclists must wear a helmet.

Obviously they can't wear seatbelts, so a helmet, along with other protective clothing, will go a long way to saving lives or preventing serious injury.”

The fatal crashes involving motorcyclists this year were:

• January 5, a 50-year-old man died after his motorcycle collided with a car on Murrays Road in Tangowahine Valley.

• February 12, a 42-year-old woman died after her moped left the road at Omapere and hit a tree.

• March 30, a 23-year-old man died after he came off his motorcycle on State Highway One north of Whangarei

• April 9, a 53-year-old man died after his motorcycle collided with a car on the intersection of Riverside Drive and Mackesy Road.

Source: New Zealand Police.