Four rescue helicopter landing pads have been built along the Southern Coromandel loop, a 130km state highway route which passes through Kopu, Whangamata, Waihi and Paeroa.

The landing areas are part of a multi-agency motorcycle safety project, led by the NZ Transport Agency.

Rescue helicopter pilot Grant Bremner.

New landing pads on the Kopu-Hikuai Road.

The loop is the site of Safer Rides Southern Coromandel, a New Zealand first pilot project aimed at reducing the number and severity of motorcycle crashes on that stretch of highway.

The Transport Agency's Principal Safety Engineer, Michelle Te Wharau, says the landing pads give emergency service crews greater access to the area, meaning injured riders or others requiring medical assistance will get treatment as quickly as possible.

'The rugged terrain and scenic beauty of the Southern Coromandel make it an irresistible touring route for motorcyclists who really enjoy putting their skills to the test,” says Michelle.

Crash data from the last five years shows motorcyclists were involved in 42 per cent of the fatal and serious crashes on the stretch of highway, while they make up only two per cent of road users.

The Transport Agency worked closely with the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Trust to scope suitable sites which are now clearly marked with a large yellow ‘'H''. They were chosen with the transport agency working closely with the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Trust.

'The landing pads will allow medical staff to get to injured people in the critical first hour, which significantly increases their chances of survival,” says Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter chief pilot, Grant Bremner.

All emergency services such as search and rescue, the NZ Fire Service and Civil Defence will also be able to use the landing pads which are among a series of safety improvements being trialled along the route under the Safer Rides project.

The project is part of the Safer Journeys strategy; the driving force behind the Government's push to create a transport system that is increasingly free of deaths and serious injuries.

'Along with upgraded signage for curves and wider edge-lines, we have sealed a number of entrances along the route to reduce the amount of gravel and other debris on the road,” says Michelle.

'We are trialling different road markings to help guide riders around corners, have resealed or treated the road surface to create a more consistent ride and added guard rails in some areas with a steep drop-off.

'We have also replaced many large concrete drainage pipes with smaller flat and dome shaped covers, which are more forgiving in the event of a crash.”

Riders will also notice a series of billboards with tips for ways to cope with the challenges of riding the route.

'Although the new helicopter landing pads are great, hopefully with all the safety improvements and messaging we have made along the route we will have fewer motorcyclists needing to use them.”

The NZ Transport Agency is working in partnership on the Safer Rides project with the Motorcycle Safety Advisory Council, ACC, Thames-Coromandel and Hauraki District Councils, Waikato Regional Council, NZ Police as well as motorcycling user groups.

For more information on the project and to view an interactive map showing the changes, visit www.nzta.govt.nz/safer-rides-sc