The Beach Boys famously sung about a Surfin’ Safari, but the South Island can lay claim to its own TranzAlpine ‘Scooter Safari’, which will see an expected 250 motorised scooters travelling coast to coast this Saturday (23 May).

The endurance event, which began in 2009 and continues to raise money for Cancer Society initiatives, traverses the Southern Alps from Christchurch to Hokitika in cold and challenging conditions that are a world away from sun-drenched California beaches. New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is advising all road users to be aware that the event and increase in traffic could affect their travel on State Highway 73 on Saturday.

The Scooter Safari operates as an organised touring convoy with riders travelling in managed groups supported by event staff, volunteers and support vehicles. Regular pit stops and fuel stops are coordinated in advance to support safe movement throughout the route and minimise disruption to other road users.

The event is open to any motorised step through scooters if the rider is appropriately licensed, the scooter is road legal and a support crew is provided. Motorcycles are not permitted. Event organisers say ideally people will ride a 50cc scooter capable of doing 50-55km per hour on the open road.

NZTA asks all road users on SH73 to be patient and considerate when sharing the state highway with these slower vehicles and their support crews. With vehicles like these motorised scooters having less protection than other vehicle types, people are urged to take extra care when travelling in the same space or passing.

More about the Scooter Safari, and initiatives that it supports(external link)