PORT Kembla Hospital staff revved their Harleys through the main street of Batemans Bay on Friday to raise awareness about HIV testing.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
For the second year in a row a team of four cruised down the coast from Port Kembla to Bega, spreading the word about HIV and World Aids Day along the way.
Rider Geza Belley said the ride was to help spread the important message that HIV is still here, in time for World Aids Day on December 1.
The riders spent the morning in Orient Street spreading the word, talking to those passing by and handing out promotional giveaways.
Mr Belley said there had been a 12 per cent rise in HIV since 2013.
"We want to make sure people are getting tested," he said.
"Young teenagers especially, they think HIV is not around but it still is."
Although Australia has a low rate of HIV compared to other countries, Mr Belley said people still don’t know what HIV is or how it comes about.
"We are here to talk to people about risky behaviour like injecting stupidly or having unsafe sex," he said.
"We want to make sure people are getting tested."
He said the response from communities along the coast had so far been positive.
"Last year Batemans Bay was the best town," Mr Belley said.
"We got a lot of attention here."
From Batemans Bay the group will ride to Bega before returning to Port Kembla on Saturday.
For more information about how HIV visit www.playsafe.health.nsw.gov.au.