Unwarranted motorcyclist clocked at 204km/h

Canterbury police are warning motorcyclists to slow down on rural roads after two were clocked well over the speed limit - one at 204km/h on an unregistered and unwarranted motorcycle.

The 19-year-old man was arrested after allegedly clocking the speed and overtaking others on State Highway 1 between Rolleston and Burnham, southwest of Christchurch, over the Christmas-New Year period, police said today.

The motorcyclist, who had just got his licence back the previous day, was charged with travelling at a dangerous speed and will appear in coming weeks in Christchurch District Court.

Another motorcyclist, an Australian tourist travelling as part of a group, was clocked at 164km/h near Amberley, north of Christchurch.

His licence was suspended for 28 days.

Acting road policing manager Senior Sergeant Trevor Pullen said police had put a lot of effort into reducing vehicle speeds during the holiday period and it was irresponsible for anyone to drive in this manner.

"The threat that these motorcyclists present to themselves and other road users is similar to firing a gun down the road and not really caring if it hits someone.

"It was only good fortune that these incidents didn't result in a serious injury or fatality."

Motorcyclists were 18 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured in a crash than a car driver, he said.

Since 2005 the level of fatality and serious injury accidents involving motorcyclists had risen sharply - the number of motorcycle casualties since 2008 was more than double the total for 2000.

- NZPA