NZ Roads: Criminal Negligence?

**idleidolidyll** · 5th December 2006, 09:59

For some time I've been thinking about NZ roads and just how unsafe they are for us bikers.
It's not just the tin tops, trucks, tractors and the Sharks (I'm told by a police officer mate that that's what they call traffic cops: they despise em):
one of our real problems is the road surface itself.

Years ago, after all roadworks had been finished, the contractor was required to sweep up the gravel and crap they'd left behind. Now it seems they have no rule that forces them to think of the single track vehicles on the road (m'bikes and bicycles). In some countries this kind of practice can be challenged in court as criminal negligence. Here in NZ however, the councils and transit NZ protect the construction crews from prosecution.

Given that we seem helpless in court but that this remains a problem, I've thought about carrying a can of flouro paint and marking the road before the danger as "criminally negligent road works ahead" or similar. This would warn m'bikes of the danger and all other road users would see just what dangers riders we face.
With the number of hazards we face every day riding on NZ's roads, I reckon that the number of these signs would be very very high indeed and that it would be much harder for the govt and transit NZ to ignore motorcycles and bicycles.

I'm keen to give it a go, any takers?

**The_Dover** · 5th December 2006, 10:02

I've got a broom you can borrow too.

You know, just for those of us who go too fast to see the flouro markings on the road. You could sweep up all the gravel whilst you're graffitiing the road.

**hXc** · 5th December 2006, 10:04

Originally Posted by idleidolidyll

With the number of hazards we face every day riding on NZ's roads, I reckon that the number of these signs would be very very high indeed and that it would be much harder for the govt and transit NZ to ignore motorcycles and bicycles.

They don't ignore us, they neglect us. They hate us, because they know we are superior beings.

Originally Posted by idleidolidyll

I'm keen to give it a go, any takers?

I would, but you'll get charged with something. And if nothing exists that they can charge you for, then they'll pass a law that can charge you with something.

That's the way our government works. Want to get the NZ SAS to start a coup?

**idleidolidyll** · 5th December 2006, 10:05

Originally Posted by The_Dover

I've got a broom you can borrow too.

You know, just for those of us who go too fast to see the flouro markings on the road. You could sweep up all the gravel whilst you're graffitiing the road.

maybe we could equip someones bike with a sweeper and send them out an hour before our rides..................bags not me

**idleidolidyll** · 5th December 2006, 10:06

Originally Posted by hXc

They don't ignore us, they neglect us. They hate us, because they know we are superior beings.

I would, but you'll get charged with something. And if nothing exists that they can charge you for, then they'll pass a law the can charge you with something.

That's the way our government works. Want to get the NZ SAS to start a coup?

only if they catch us

**avgas** · 5th December 2006, 10:08

Shit that sounds fantastic, bugger i just threw away a can too!

**boomer** · 5th December 2006, 10:12

it seems my fairings and blade attract gravel, maybe i could do a pre-run for ya's.

Still won't make you any faster tho paddy

**The_Dover** · 5th December 2006, 10:14

Originally Posted by idleidolidyll

maybe we could equip someones bike with a sweeper and send them out an hour before our rides..................bags not me

wouldn't make much sense it being me either.

boomer would pass me within a few km's.

**Hellraiser** · 5th December 2006, 10:18

HONDA makes good road sweepers

**idleidolidyll** · 5th December 2006, 10:18

Originally Posted by boomer

it seems my fairings and blade attract gravel, maybe i could do a pre-run for ya's.

Still won't make you any faster tho paddy

how about the guy on the yamaha supermoto?
he could go sideways around the corners in front of us spinning the gravel out of the way.............

seriously though, i'm gonna buy a can of flouro today

**boomer** · 5th December 2006, 10:18

Originally Posted by The_Dover

wouldn't make much sense it being me either.

boomer would pass me within a few km's.

no chance of that Pillsbury Dough Boy

**idleidolidyll** · 5th December 2006, 10:19

Originally Posted by Hellraiser

HONDA makes good road sweepers

like the Leadwing etc?
if they tow a trailer then there's no reason why we shouldn't ask them to attach a sweeper

**boomer** · 5th December 2006, 10:23

Originally Posted by Hellraiser

HONDA makes good road sweepers

You're mistaking them for gixxers, ya muppet.

**Goblin** · 5th December 2006, 10:24

Hell yeah! I am so disgusted by the state of the roads around here. In the past it has been around March, end of the financial year, that the roadworks get into full swing but this year it hasn't stopped! From little cul-de-sac streets to rarely used country roads, have all been resealed and the fucken monkeys leave loose chip everywhere! They dont even do a good job of the resealing and now there's all these huge bumps at each end of the seal plus the original bumps are made worse. GGGRRRRR!!! Fucks me off! I went over one of my favourite twisty bits yesterday(Rotomas) and at Rotoiti, what used to be the most amazing hot-mixed beautiful corners is now rough as guts chip seal and the trucks are already chewing it up.
Anyone in the Rotorua area who might see an ugly bald cunt Robert McDonald and his band of fuckin monkeys working for Ministry of Works, give him the fingers for me! He's fucking our roads big time!
Rant over.