Action in Nelson

[davereid]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/2984291/Protest-motorcyclists-will-ride-to-Smiths-door

plus he is back...
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/2982495/Accident-cop-in-court-again

Rego ? what rego ?

So ... its 10am Saturday at Richmod showgrounds... for those wo like me didnt read the entire bloody article..

[Ixion]

Hundreds of Nelson motorcyclists will kick-start national ACC levy protests with a ride to the office of ACC Minister and Nelson MP Nick Smith this weekend.
The rally will involve Nelson social riders, known as Route 6, supported by other motorcycle groups, including Ulysses.
Organiser Steve Page said Smith had agreed to "have a bit of a chat" with riders after Saturday's rally, which will leave the Richmond Show Grounds mid-morning.
Marlborough and West Coast riders were expected to join the Nelson protest against the proposed annual motorcycle levy increases of up to $500, he said.
Ulysses national president Peter McIntosh backed regional protests rather than a national rally. "Mass rides have so many inherent problems," he said.
McIntosh was disappointed at the way the ACC was using crash figures to paint motorcyclists in the worst possible light.
The tight submission time frame for the proposals left little room for considered debate, he said.
Ulysses Canterbury co-ordinator Mike Dew said plans were still being made for a Christchurch protest.


Bloody chars .

[MyGSXF]

Tis a shame that they chose Labour Weekend to hold the run though.. as a lot of riders from here head down to Greymouth for the Street Racing.. me included.. :bye: bugger....

Hope it all goes well anyway!!!! :rockon:

[Ixion]

Hundreds of Nelson motorcyclists will kick-start national ACC levy protests with a ride to the office of ACC Minister and Nelson MP Nick Smith this weekend.
The rally will involve Nelson social riders, known as Route 6, supported by other motorcycle groups, including Ulysses.
Organiser Steve Page said Smith had agreed to "have a bit of a chat" with riders after Saturday's rally, which will leave the Richmond Show Grounds mid-morning.
Marlborough and West Coast riders were expected to join the Nelson protest against the proposed annual motorcycle levy increases of up to $500, he said.
Ulysses national president Peter McIntosh backed regional protests rather than a national rally. "Mass rides have so many inherent problems," he said.
McIntosh was disappointed at the way the ACC was using crash figures to paint motorcyclists in the worst possible light.
The tight submission time frame for the proposals left little room for considered debate, he said.
Ulysses Canterbury co-ordinator Mike Dew said plans were still being made for a Christchurch protest.




More bloody chars

[klyong82]

You can also do massive burnouts in front of Nick Smith;s office which should leave a thick coating of tyre rubber at the front of his office.....:banana:

http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/1054692/

but of cos we bikers wanna protest peacefully without causing issues and show that we are been bullied...

[MyGSXF]

Jus arrived in the local paper.... :2thumbsup

[Skyryder]

I don't know if any one has made the connection but these boy racer laws could be used in Nelson. Something about illegal riding up and down the street etc. Whoever is doing the biz in Nelson might pay to get aquanted with them.


Skyryder

[Naki Rat]

It would seem that the protests are not restricted to what KB is promoting. Seems that Nick Smith has had a taste of coming events today in his electorate.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2997732/Hundreds-protest-against-bike-tax

Also covered well for bikers in NewstalkZB's midday news (http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/thisweek/hourrecs/Sat,%20Oct%2024%2012.00%20trn-newstalk-zb-akl.asf)

Coming along nicely :Punk:

[Mully]

Good work Nelson.

And, all policital stuff aside, good on Nick Smith for agreeing to meet with them. He could have quite easily have been "unavailable"

[Fluffy Cat]

Mahhn howd i miss 400 bikes, could'nt find em. Went to filco then to NS office no bikes then 3 more times. When did they get there?.

[Fluffy Cat]

I missed 500 bikes this gets worse.

[pzkpfw]

I missed 500 bikes this gets worse.

You should know better!

"Sorry mate, I didn't see you" is no excuse... (smiley)

[Ms Piggy]

It would seem that the protests are not restricted to what KB is promoting. Seems that Nick Smith has had a taste of coming events today in his electorate.
Yes we heard about it on the National Radio - nicely done people!

[peasea]

Twaz a great turnout, 500 machines, well bahaved (moreso than some automobile drivers I might add) and TV1 and TV3 cameras were there.

Shame two riders had to drop their machines when parking at the final destination, one right in front of the camera! Bugger.

Other than that, great exercise and I will credit to Nick Smith for fronting up.

As yet I have no idea what was said in the venue but there was more than one loud roar and a round of applause.

Well done Steve Page for sorting it out.

[sunhuntin]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2997732/Hundreds-protest-against-bike-tax


More than 500 motorcyclists from around the Nelson region and further afield gathered this morning to make a united stand against "abhorrent" increases to ACC levies proposed by the Government.

The mood was charged as the large group of men and women riders on bikes ranging in size from small scooters to large touring bikes gathered at the showgrounds in Richmond before hitting the road in protest.

The convoy, which included teenagers, grandparents and Lost Breed bikers, planned to park up at ACC Minister Nick Smith's Stoke headquarters before presenting him with a letter expressing outrage at the hefty price hikes.

Under the proposed levies, announced last week, owners of bikes over 601cc will see their annual ACC levy increase from $252.69 to $745.77. Levies for medium-sized bikes will increase from $252 to $511 and moped owners would face a $257 levy.

The organiser of the protest, Steve Page, who is president of the Route 6 Motorcycle Club, said motorcyclists taking part in the protest had been told to follow the normal road rules and be calm, professional and responsible.

Mr Page, who rides a Suzuki 1800cc bike said it was likely there would be a traffic jam when the riders tried to fit their bikes into Dr Smith's office car park.

"It's going to be really interesting up at Nick Smith's office. That's when the fun will start and I expect there will be a bit of jeering," Mr Page said before the protest ride left Richmond.

Bruce Stronach of Richmond, who rides a Triumph 900 and thought the proposed changes were "bulls...", said he rode his bike as he drove his car – carefully and at a safe distance from other traffic.

Blenheim rider Ian Clark, who took part this morning on his Kawasaki 650, said he was annoyed at the hypocrisy of the situation.

"On the one hand we're all being asked to lessen our carbon footprint, and then they're zapping people for riding small bikes and mopeds," Mr Clark said.

The protesters set off along Queen St, turned on to Salisbury Rd and cruised to central Nelson. The convoy planned to head back along Rocks Rd to Dr Smith's Stoke headquarters.

Dr Smith had agreed to meet a delegation of motorcyclists and receive the letter.

The letter states that the middle-aged professionals "who use their bikes as an escape" already paid many levies for cars and businesses.

"The Government's proposal to increase the ACC levies to the motorcyclists by the amounts quoted are abhorrent to us. As a show of unity, the riders you have seen today all feel the same," it says. The letter also states that over 98 per cent of the bikes taking part in the protest were over 600cc, the threshold for the proposed $750 fee. "Yet these bikes are very rarely used for commuting, yet get hit the hardest.

Ad Feedback This is unbalanced."

Most riders who ride 600cc motorcycles and bigger were aged between 35 and 60 and were male professionals who rode with caution, Mr Page said.

There had been "very little consultation" with the affected groups over the price hike, he said.

"Would it have made a difference if we wanted shellfish from one of the local beaches? We would have way more consultation over that one."

The letter states that a better charging system was needed, perhaps through a user-pays system which sourced revenue from all users.

A "reasonable increase" in petrol tax was a fairer and more viable option, the letter said.

[bogan]

just watched the story on 3 news. His comments sounded a bit ominous, something like, I dont think the levies will be AS big as the proposed ones, message I got from that is we are still gonna levie the shit out of you, but just not as much as is currently proposed.

[cs363]

And for those that missed it:

http://www.3news.co.nz/Video/National/tabid/309/articleID/126775/cat/41/Default.aspx

[Nitzer]

...and from TVNZ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ziyzLiEHY0

[Fluffy Cat]

Good coverage, but his numbers are screwed. We need to get that across.
Great effort.

[Pixie]

Good work Nelson.

And, all policital stuff aside, good on Nick Smith for agreeing to meet with them. He could have quite easily have been "unavailable"

I noticed he took a kid with him to minimise the chance of a bashing

[JATZ]

Was a reeeal good turnout, just a shame the local constabulary couldn't have played ball and stoped traffic @ intersections.
If this sets the benchmark then the National run should be HUGE

[klingon]

Great job everyone involved! The news coverage was positive, but they do keep quoting ACC's erroneous statistics. :doh:

[StoneY]

Great job everyone involved! The new coverage was positive, but they do keep quoting ACC's erroneous statistics. :doh:

What she said
:done:

[Ixion]

We need to work on this from this week on. I'll start a thread in the coordinators forum - we may have to say "They are right about xxx" and I don't want that where the ACC mole can see it.

[MyGSXF]

On Stuff today :scooter:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/3000231/Size-of-bike-rally-surprises-Smith

[klingon]

On Stuff today :scooter:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/3000231/Size-of-bike-rally-surprises-Smith

Very interesting. The comments are just as interesting as the article!


We were excited to see the rally and initially we felt in general support of the protest. That was until we witness what can only be described as a bunch of ignorant tosses. We were deliberately blocked access to the Saxton roundabout by a biker who stopped on the road in front of our vehicle. Once we did get through we were appalled to see the antics of a few. Passing dangerously on the inside, sweeping directly in front of our vehicle, riding several abreast across the centre line, running red lights, pushing in-between vehicles stopped at the lights – the list goes on. If what we observed is representative of the biker community as a whole, I’m not surprised the ACC levis are going up!

I'm not saying this person is right - just that it gives us some valuable insights into how our behaviour on these rides can be PERCEIVED by the general public.

[MyGSXF]

I'm not saying this person is right - just that it gives us some valuable insights into how our behaviour on these rides can be PERCEIVED by the general public.

Can you point me in the direction of that article please?

I wasn't on the ride unfortunately.. but from what I understand the Police wouldn't get involved & "man" the traffic lights & intersections because this was a "protest" ride.. <_<

However, on the Rescue Helicopter Ride I organised, the Police were absolutely fantastic with their help!!

Tis unfortunate, if they had of got involved, tis likely this sort of behaviour probably wouldn't have happened.. :no:

[StoneY]

Was a reeeal good turnout, just a shame the local constabulary couldn't have played ball and stoped traffic @ intersections.
If this sets the benchmark then the National run should be HUGE

I have it on direct information from those that organised it that it was thier own fault the Police were not appropriately notified in Nelson
We can learn from that

Dont blame the Police for lack of formal notice, they have been nothing but totally cooperative with the BIKEOI organizers

Good effort Nelson and those attending, REPRESENT!

Expect far better traffic support on the day than Nelson recieved, we took care of that issue first thing for the Wellington leg

Edit: Never call the local station for Protest support
Always go to the top, head of National Operations
(I did)
:)

[Nasty]

:no::no:
Very interesting. The comments are just as interesting as the article!



I'm not saying this person is right - just that it gives us some valuable insights into how our behaviour on these rides can be PERCEIVED by the general public.

Always makes an impression doing burn outs on private property ... :no:

Thing to remember is make an impression - but don't leave marks - the protest sounds great .. but this fallout is unfortunate and that is the impression people are left with :(

[klingon]

Can you point me in the direction of that article please?

The article was the one you linked to. The quote was from one of the comments at the bottom of the page (keep scrolling down - there are other comments that are equally as interesting).

[Fluffy Cat]

Where did they do a burnout?.:crybaby:

[Nasty]

Where did they do a burnout?.:crybaby:


During the protesters' arrival at Dr Smith's headquarters, one rider was met with screams of "woo-hoo" after he did a burnout on the concrete near Dr Smith's carport.

Just down the page of the article a little.

[Fluffy Cat]

Read it now.....Mahnn what a moron.:crybaby:

[JATZ]

Some valid points from other motorists stuck in the traffic chaos there, I did wonder how the other road users would react.
It only takes 1 or 2 idiots to ruin the effort put in by hundreds, shame about that but there's always one in every crowd.

[Fluffy Cat]

Yeah,,,. But our crowd has loads...that's better, right?.

[nsrpaul]

who ever did a burnout, you are a moron

good on steve page for organinsing the run, it is always hard to get these things off the ground although more planning around intersection management during the run was needed

I understand that the police declined involvement, and with nelsonians being completely impaiteint barstads many people were not impressed with the actions of a few

I managed to find the least impressed of them all, at the main intersection in stoke the guy on the bike blocking the intersection was geting seriously abused by a crazy lady in an integra, as it looked like it was about to boil over I stopped and apologised to her for the delay

she did not take this well and launched straight into more abuse, well over `the top "my mongrel mob husband is going to come round and fuck you up and burn down your house"!! was just for starters

a little (a lot!) shaken I took a picture of her rego plate and upon arrival at Nicks phoned *555, described the event only to be told in a very dissmissive tone "well, a lot of people were pissed off about that ride"

The debate about how the intersections could rage on, but the bigger problem here was the threats to the safety of my home and family, needless to say I was less than impressed and outlined this quite clearly to the *555 lady.

A good ending was had though, as the local police care about my saftey alittle more and I got a follow up call an hour or so later

20 minutes after that they were round out her house, phoned me back within the hour to update me, had read her the riot act, decleared her mighty strange, checked her known contacts for "mob" memebrs and her record etc

Well done for the local Fuzz!!!!!!!!!!!

[nsrpaul]

just sent a cleaned up version to the local rag and the police