Wellington's Bikes In Blue event to raise awareness for prostate cancer was attended by 200 riders.

Wellington's first Bikers In Blue event got off to a rumbling start, with about 200 riders turning out to raise awareness for prostate cancer.

Raising about $5000 for the cause with a raffle and sausage sizzle, organiser Neil Brocklehurst said it was essential to educate Kiwis about a disease which will affect one in eight men.

The ride began with an address from prostate cancer survivor, Bill Guthrie.

MAARTEN HOLL/STUFF The Bikers in Blue event started at Porirua.

"He was totally unaware anything was wrong, and it was just suggested he should have check up," Brocklehurst said.

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The convoy met at Placemakers in Porirua, travelling down Titahi Bay Rd and through the Terrace Tunnel to finish up in Evans Bay in Wellington – setting off more than one car alarm on the way.

Maarten Holl Carl Tredrea from Stokes Valley on his 2008 Harley Davidson Rocker C (custom).

The ride was in recognition of Blue September.

PlaceMakers, the principal sponsor of the awareness month, has raised over $480,000 in the past three years, funding research, support services for survivors and their families and education campaigns.

General manager Bruce McEwen said one man was diagnosed with prostate cancer every three hours, and another died every day.

Despite these figures, only two in five men ask their doctors for the test.