The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) has launched a new ratings system for motorcycle clothing.

Said to be a world-first, the Motorcycle Clothing Assessment Programme (MotoCAP) will provide the motorcycle community with more information when they are making choices about the clothing they wear when riding.

The idea is that it offers two separate star ratings – one for protection and one for comfort. The protection star rating considers performance in abrasion resistance, seam strength and impact protection. The comfort rating, meanwhile, is based on how comfortable the clothing is in New Zealand and Australian climatic conditions.

Motorcycle programme manager David Keilty noted 45 motorcyclists lost their lives on the road and 7,372 motorcyclists received treatment and support from ACC in 2017. The total cost of motorcycle-related claims was more than $94 million.

ACC said stakeholders from across Australia and New Zealand worked together to develop the system.