More than $10 million has been spent helping people injured in road cycling and mountain biking in the Bay of Plenty recover in 10 months in 2024, Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) figures show.

Another $6m was spent helping injured swimmers and surfers.

The region includes some of New Zealand’s best spots for the four outdoor pursuits, including Rotorua’s world-famous Whakarewarewa Forest mountain biking trails and Mount Maunganui’s popular beaches.

An ACC injury prevention campaign is targeting the activities, as these four attract “major spikes” in injuries each summer.

National ACC claim numbers showed about 70,000 people were injured from outdoor recreation activities mainly enjoyed during summer.

“We want New Zealanders to enjoy their summer – whether that is at the beach, on the mountain bike trails or on the sports field,” ACC injury prevention leader James Whitaker said.

“You don’t want to spend your summer holiday in A and E,” Whitaker said.

The breakdown in the Bay

Figures from ACC showed it accepted 2430 new claims for road cycling costing $6.8m between January and November 1, 2024, in the Bay.

ACC also paid out $3.7m on 574 local mountain biking claims, $4.1m for 607 swimming claims, and $1.9m for 715 surfing claims.

Claims accepted in Bay of Plenty in 2023 included 2706 for road cycling ($7.3m), 596 for mountain biking ($3.6m), 579 for swimming ($5.2m) and 764 for surfing ($2.5m).

Mountain biking injuries cost $3.6m in Bay of Plenty in the first 10 months of last year. Photo / ACC

Whitaker said cyclists and mountain bikers needed to ensure their bikes were “ride ready”.

“Check your bike’s condition using ‘ABC’, ‘A’ for air - do your tyres have the right pressure, ‘B’ for brakes - are both brakes working properly, and ‘C’ for chain - check your chain isn’t loose.”

Riders should have correct and properly fitted safety gear including a helmet that meets New Zealand safety standards, and stick to trails that matched their skills and experience.

“Ease into things on your first couple of runs – checking the trail so you know where you’ll land if you’re going to jump. Remember that where you look is where you’ll go - keep your eyes on the track or path you wish to take rather than obstacles or the scenery.”

Whitaker said it was also important to stop in places where you would not be in the way of other riders.

Most drownings preventable

Whitaker said most drownings and water-related injuries were preventable “if we all take time to assess the risks”.

Surfing was the leading cause of ocean-related injury every year. In 2023, ACC accepted 5,582 surfing claims, costing $13m nationally.

“Monitor the conditions and the risks before you get out there, then take the safest options. If you’re in doubt, finding something else to do might be the best option.”

Mount Maunganui ranks 10th on Water Safety New Zealand’s top 10 “blackspots” – locations with very high incident and fatality rates.

Mount Maunganui man John Rawiri Piripi Pitihira, 37, died after running into the sea while fleeing police in April 2024. In November 2022, Tauranga father Reon Wikeepa drowned after jumping into the water at Moturiki (Leisure Island) to help his daughter. Retiree Kerry Huggard drowned three months later at Mount Maunganui.

ACC is sharing injury prevention tips for surfing, swimming, mountain biking, and road cycling, as summer leads to 'major spikes' in injuries from these activities. Photo / Water Safety New Zealand

Water Safety New Zealand national figures showed nine people had drowned this summer, since December 1.

In the Bay of Plenty, Hikato Maaka, 41, was found dead after jumping into Ōhiwa Harbour on Christmas Day, and on January 2 a man, whose name has not been released, died after being seen struggling in the water off Ōmaio, in the Ōpōtiki District - the first water-related death of 2025.

A December Water Safety New Zealand statement said on average, one New Zealander drowns every three days during summer.

Water Safety NZ said risks were increased by not wearing a lifejacket, being too far away from young children in and around water, consuming alcohol and other drugs, and underestimating conditions at the beach.

It said many drownings happened when wading or playing in water: “People can easily be knocked off their feet by a strong wave or current.”

Survival tips included knowing how to float, finding the safest place to swim (ie. where lifeguards are on duty), not swimming alone, knowing how to get help by raising your arm, and remembering “if in doubt, stay out”.

Surf Lifesaving New Zealand has described January as the most “dangerous” month of the year.

Megan Wilson is a health and general news reporter for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has been a journalist since 2021.