New Zealand Post in motorcycle delivery safety drive

New Zealand Post has teamed up with New Zealand’s Accident Compensation Corporation to launch a new safety initiative for motorcycle delivery staff. The company said 120 delivery staff will take part in the initiative, gaining hands-on training to help them prioritise and advocate road safety.

New Zealand Post Head of Safety and Wellbeing Parvez Akbar said the scheme came as more and more parcels are being delivered on motorcycles, which means more delivery staff need specialised training.

“The partnership with ACC gives our posties access to Ride Forever, an industry leading programme as well as in-house training, to ensure they have the skills to continue to work safely,” Akbar explained.

“New Zealand Post’s learning pathway includes basic handling skills, a theory test, practical skills training, mentor support, planned practice as well as the ACC Ride Forever Bronze and Silver programmes.”

Last month saw 59 motorcyclists engaged in the training programme, with 24 of the best selected as mentors to assist others undertaking training.

ACC, New Zealand’s state-owned personal injury insurance agency, said training courses were a mix of theory and on-road driving, with at least 70% of training time spent on the bikes on local roads.

The ACC’s head of injury prevention partnerships and delivery, Emma Powell, said: “We’ve contracted the best trainers in New Zealand to deliver a quality programme which is relevant to riders at all levels. New Zealand Post’s motorcycle posties will be going through the Ride Forever programme to ensure they are highly-skilled and safety-conscious riders.”