Riding in the Wairarapa...Beware!

**Uncle B** · 9th November 2005, 07:19

From Dominion Post Nov 9
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VISITING BIKERS 'USE WAIRARAPA FOR RACING'

Motorcyclists from Wellington are using Wairarapa roads as "a race track" and endandering other motorists, frustrated police say.
three young motocyclists have died in Wairarapa during the past year, all from Wellington.
The latest accident last weekend left a Linton man, 26 with serious injuries after his bike careered off a road east of Martinborough and catapulted through a barrier fence.
He was flown to Wellington hospital, where he remains.
It was the second accident involving an out-of-town motorcyclistat the same spot in less than a month.
The officer in change of road policing for Wairarapa, Sergeant Mike Sutton, said the last crash appeared to have been due to speed.
"Every weekend we get a lot of Wellington riders going hard out on our roads and the locals are getting sick of it. They are the ones being put at risk by people who are treating these rural and coastal stretches like a racetrack."
Motorists regularly complained about motorcyclists dangerous overtaking and excessive speeds.
Mr Sutton said with the onset of summer the problem became worse.
Police urge visitors to the region particularly motorcyclists, to know the roads and ride to the speed limit and conditions.
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Looks like they may be out in force so watch out and take it easy.

**White trash** · 9th November 2005, 07:22

Cant be too dangerous for the locals, the biggest culprits ARE the locals. Nuff said.

**Groins_NZ** · 9th November 2005, 07:36

Eerrrrrrrr what was the reason the motorcyclist came off? Anyone know if it was somebody from KB - hope they're doing okay.

Sounds like they're using this accident to make a 'blanket' comment about all motorcyclists who happen to visit the Wairarapa - that part pisses me off!

**Str8 Jacket** · 9th November 2005, 07:38

Originally Posted by VTWIN

From Dominion Post Nov 9
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It was the second accident involving an out-of-town motorcyclistat the same spot in less than a month.
The officer in change of road policing for Wairarapa, Sergeant Mike Sutton, said the last crash appeared to have been due to speed.
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Looks like they may be out in force so watch out and take it easy.

I wonder if there talking about the guy that came of last week at "my" spot... If they are then I wonder if they mean that I was the first "offender"? If so they fail to mention that my crash was NOT at speed but was inexperience (target fixation)...
What bugs me is that people/cops often seem to blame the motorcyclists, and sometimes they are correct but when I get a call from the cop that attended my accident saying that they are gonna let me of with a warning for DANGEROUS DRIVING not CARELESS driving when speed etc had nothing to do with my accident it makes me wonder if we are just being "targeted". Arrgh!

**Slingshot** · 9th November 2005, 07:38

What are ya trying to say?? It's not a race track???

**skelstar** · 9th November 2005, 07:39

To be honest I feel for the locals.

I was present during one of those two accidents and all the cars that stopped were really cool and helpful regarding the accident. One of which was the car that was (IMHO - sorry SJ) 'slightly dodgily overtaken' a little earlier.

We complain about boy racers screaming all over the place yet race around the Wairarapa ourselves. I know we arent in any one spot for very long (except me cause Im slow) and arent doing burnouts in somes ones street, but whatever we are doing aint all that safe...

Anyhoo..

**Sparky Bills** · 9th November 2005, 07:40

Originally Posted by Slingshot

What are ya trying to say?? It's not a race track???

Pfft!
Not a race track!? WHAT EVER!! HAHA.

Build us race track and they wont have to worry would they!

**Bartman10** · 9th November 2005, 07:41

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=19703

There's a bit mentioned about it here. I think the guy was in the army. I hope he does alright.

I don't think he was going that fast. Just a classic case of target fixation.

There was a bit of gravel on the road and he panicked, as far as I can tell.

**Str8 Jacket** · 9th November 2005, 07:41

***Edited***

**skelstar** · 9th November 2005, 07:43

Originally Posted by Str8 Jacket

**aslo edited**

** edited - thanks str8j **

**Str8 Jacket** · 9th November 2005, 07:45

***Edited***

**Lou Girardin** · 9th November 2005, 08:42

Originally Posted by VTWIN

From Dominion Post Nov 9
-----------------------------------------------------------
VISITING BIKERS 'USE WAIRARAPA FOR RACING'

"Every weekend we get a lot of Wellington riders going hard out on our roads and the locals are getting sick of it. They are the ones being put at risk by people who are treating these rural and coastal stretches like a racetrack."
Motorists regularly complained about motorcyclists dangerous overtaking and excessive speeds.

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Looks like they may be out in force so watch out and take it easy.

How many locals have been hit by these Welly maniacs, I wonder.