Motorcycle safety and protective equipment
Helmet and clothing
You must wear a securely fastened approved motorcycle helmet. Approved standards include AS/NZS 1698 and ECE 22.05; a helmet without a known history or with a loose strap is not adequate protection. Wear abrasion-resistant clothing, gloves, boots that cover the ankle, and eye protection. Gloves protect your hands in a fall, and high-visibility colours or reflective material help drivers see you.
Bike checks
Before riding, check tyres for pressure and tread, brakes, lights and indicators, chain tension and lubrication, and fluid levels. A helmet must fit snugly with no pressure points and the strap tight under the chin.
Worked example
A rider buys a used helmet at a market. It looks undamaged but has no standard mark and the liner is loose. The correct decision is not to use it. Without an approved mark and a secure fit, it may not protect you in a crash.
Traps that cost marks
Wearing a helmet with the strap undone. Assuming a second-hand helmet is safe because it looks fine. Riding in ordinary jeans and sneakers instead of abrasion-resistant gear. Skipping the pre-ride check because the bike ran well yesterday.