AA. Just plain bastards

[Ixion]

OK.

First the AA stabbed us in the back on the ACC levies.Oh yes, in case you didn't know, it was AA egging the ACC on many months ago that encouraged them (ACC) to think they could get away with it.

Now, yet another example of their anti-motorcycle jihad


AA spokesman Simon Lambourne says "it's fantastic to see so many motorists taking advantage of the toll road, and of course less congestion and improved safety on the alternative free SH17 Hibiscus Coast road. The technology which reads the license plates is impressive and we are very pleased to see that the road's debt repayment is ahead of schedule."
"That said, there are three issues in the report that concern the AA - the 33,000 motorcycles and rental cars using the road and not paying to do so; the 27,749 motorists who collectively have $207,000 in unpaid tolls; and the ongoing inadequacies of the cash payment facilities."
"There is no reason why a motorist should be charged $2 to use the road, while motorcycles get to use it for free. Motorcycles equally benefit from the road's shorter travel time, the safer infrastructure and the fuel cost savings, so it's only fair for them to also pay the toll to use the road. Similarly, rental car companies seem to be exploiting a legal loophole to ensure they are not responsible for the toll, if payment has not been made by the car hirer."
"It's unacceptable that some motorists are refusing to pay the toll. In the interests of fairness to the 94 percent of users who do pay, the New Zealand Transport Agency needs to commence its enforcement process immediately."



Well, I'm a member now. Fortresses are more easily taken when your army is INSIDE the walls.


I strongly encourage other motorcyclists to join up


And we'll make their next AGM a avery interesting one.

[Big Dave]

Yep - I'm a member. Obnoxious Awestraylian will be there.

[Cloggy]

Why should motorcyclists get away with using a toll road for free?

[riffer]

Why should motorcyclists get away with using a toll road for free?


I'll pay their stupid toll when I pay the same amount on ACC as they do.

Oh hang on, I already do, for my car. Plus for my bike.

[Hiflyer]

Why should motorcyclists get away with using a toll road for free?

Cos by using a bike we are reducing our carbon footprint, causning consierably less wear to the road and producing less congestion, why else would they let us go through free in the first place?

[MarkyMark]

Because they cause practically no wear on the road and when in low numbers don't really increase congestion either.

[Mom]

Just might have to investigate a membership myself :D

[The Stranger]

Why should motorcyclists get away with using a toll road for free?

We didn't contribute to the "need" for the road in the first place. I could give a rats for he shorter distance or safer environ.

[Taz]

The other way is much more fun anyway. Given the choice of a straight four lane highway or a twisty back road I'll take the latter anyday. I'm no cruiser rider only wanting the shortest straightest ride between pubs.......

[cowpatz]

Just sent the plonker a "wake up dickhead" email. It wont do any good but when someone's dick is hanging out in public someone needs to let them know.

[Hailwood]

Just sent the plonker a "wake up dickhead" email. It wont do any good but when someone's dick is hanging out in public someone needs to let them know.


What is his email address? maybe a few dozen emails might be fun

[Drunken Monkey]

Just sent the plonker a "wake up dickhead" email. It wont do any good but when someone's dick is hanging out in public someone needs to let them know.

Yeah, but it's usually along the lines of "What are you doing there, selling hot dogs or something?"

[pzkpfw]

33,000 motorcycles and rental cars using the road and not paying to do so

compared to


27,749 motorists who collectively have $207,000 in unpaid tolls

i.e. almost as many people who already should be paying but don't.

Then compared to:


94 percent of users who do pay

...so where's the freakin' "problem"!?

[MIXONE]

I thought the AA was a branch of the LTSA!

[Trudes]

The AA can kiss my arse. I'm currently a member, have been for about 15 years and hubby also for about 10. Membership comes due next month and they can go fuck themselves and I will be telling them why. Wankers.

[Paul in NZ]

I've ditched my membership - they are prize bastards. I wouldn't cross the road to piss on them if they were on fire..

[Coldrider]

I thought the AA was a branch of the LTSA!_Ankers Anonymous

And BP AA Rewards?

[rustic101]

:ar15:and all of the insurances etc I had with them. Turns out I got a cheaper deal elsewhere:ar15:

[Ixion]

Please DON'T resign. We can shaft them much more effectively by having a large biker membership.

They don't care if yiou resign. Loss of a few bikers is insignificant.

But a few hundred bikers , turning up at their AGM, (entitled, cos members), and block voting, that could really hurt them.

[p.dath]

I've been a member for a long time, and I generally hold them in good steed. Generally I think they are good advocates for road users in NZ.

I would rather try and effect a change from inside.

Anyone know when the AGM actually is?


On the particular issue of the toll road - I'm a bit over it. I would much rather ride around than pay the $2. Actually, I tend to ride around now - even though it is free. Simply put, the toll road doesn't provide much of an incentive for me to ride on it.

So the $2 is a bit of a non-issue for me.

[davereid]

I thought the AA was a branch of the LTSA!

Yeah, I left the AA when they joined Jenny Shipley with the "kiwi-card" photo ID system, which morphed into a drivers licence, which you can't have unless you prove your address.

But, if it can be shown that AA membership gives me the chance to fire the current directors/executives/managers, I'm in.

[YellowDog]

I don't like the AA at all.

I didn't renew last year however I suspect that I do get a free membership with my bike insurance policy.

I don't know if that counts as being an actual member.

[Coldrider]

Please DON'T resign. We can shaft them much more effectively by having a large biker membership.

They don't care if yiou resign. Loss of a few bikers is insignificant.

But a few hundred bikers , turning up at their AGM, (entitled, cos members), and block voting, that could really hurt them.We need a motorcycle spokeperson body, maybe BRONZ or something new, don't need to talk sense, just a self appointed united force to bomblast the Govt with.

[SPman]

Please DON'T resign. We can shaft them much more effectively by having a large biker membership.
.
Short of physically exterminating them, this is the best option!

[NighthawkNZ]

OK.

First the AA stabbed us in the back on the ACC levies.Oh yes, in case you didn't know, it was AA egging the ACC on many months ago that encouraged them (ACC) to think they could get away with it.

Now, yet another example of their anti-motorcycle jihad.

Hmmmm How do I start up Motorcycle Version of AA and Call it

McANZ Motorcycle Assaiotion New Zealand :scratch:

[gwigs]

Hmmmm How do I start up Motorcycle Version of AA and Call it

McANZ Motorcycle Assaiotion New Zealand :scratch:

Now that is not a bad idea Nighthawk...:niceone:

[oldrider]

OK.

First the AA stabbed us in the back on the ACC levies.Oh yes, in case you didn't know, it was AA egging the ACC on many months ago that encouraged them (ACC) to think they could get away with it.

Now, yet another example of their anti-motorcycle jihad



Well, I'm a member now. Fortresses are more easily taken when your army is INSIDE the walls.


I strongly encourage other motorcyclists to join up


And we'll make their next AGM a avery interesting one.

Why can't we have the AA executives names and addresses and personal contact details posted on KB?

We all need to know exactly who they are, where they live, work and what their individual contributions against motorcycles are!

Nothing illegal or threatening, just what is public information by any other means.

They are not our friends but they do need to know that we are interested in who "they" are!

If I join AA do I get a proxy vote on their election of officers or do I have to attend their meetings?

[dipshit]

Maybe some wanker on a bike knocked off his mirror lane splitting recently..???

[Squiggles]

Anyone know when the AGM actually is?


Nope, and when Hanne tried to find out a couple of weeks back no dates were forthcoming...


On the particular issue of the toll road - I'm a bit over it. I would much rather ride around than pay the $2. Actually, I tend to ride around now - even though it is free. Simply put, the toll road doesn't provide much of an incentive for me to ride on it.

So the $2 is a bit of a non-issue for me.

And the kicker is that if its any less than two bucks then for the sake of "fairness" drivers will pay for motorcyclists to pay the levy :shutup:

[pritch]

i used to belong to the AA but let it drop because they made their breakdown service for bikes too bloody expensive.

Actually their assistance ain't what it used to be either. Our work vehicles are covered by the AA breakdown "service" and they refused to come to the assistance of a female member of staff when she called them after hours on one recent occasion.

As long as someone knows what we're paying them for...

[Mystic13]

What you need to do is get the rego number for the guy from the AA. Make up a temp plate cover and stick it on your bike everytime you go through the toll road. We could have a lot of fun with this. A mass bike ride with all bikes showing the same rego number when/if they do charge bikes would be hilarious.

[StoneY]

What you need to do is get the rego number for the guy from the AA. Make up a temp plate cover and stick it on your bike everytime you go through the toll road. We could have a lot of fun with this. A mass bike ride with all bikes showing the same rego number when/if they do charge bikes would be hilarious.

I will ride to Jaffaland to assist with that, I will even loan the 'other' bike to a suitably experienced rider to participate FOR SURE!

I pulled 5 Insurance policies from these bastards, and my membership has 5 months till expiry

They had the gall to call me and ask why....2 words....Ducati, Suzuki.

And this stupid bitch on the phone following through my 'unreasonable early cancellation' of my 1800 dollars in premiums, said 'Ive never heard of a Car called Ducati, but is the Suzuki a 4wd model? we can offer a discount for SAFETY factor.....'

TRUE story, WORD
Oh yeah better cash in all my BP points......

[chasio]

Cos by using a bike we are reducing our carbon footprint, causning consierably less wear to the road and producing less congestion, why else would they let us go through free in the first place?

My pet theory on that is that since bikes have only one plate, their system wouldn't be sure enough they have the right plate. Since character recognition processes are not perfect, they become much more accurate if they can compare two sets of data for the same vehicle e.g. plate on front and plate on rear. If the analyse both images and come up with the same rego, they can be pretty sure they have a good match and issue the demand for payment.

My theory may of course be wrong. But I don't believe for a moment that they aren't charging us because we're easier on the road or better for the environment. We already know they want us off the roads.

They simply want to collect what they can be confident of collecting easily, just like hitting us for ACC at rego time (or so they thought).

Or maybe they know we'd all be on SH16 or up the old road if they tried it. Not much point in setting up a system for 3 bikes a day who forget to turn off in time.

My $0.02 anyway.

[Hiflyer]

My pet theory on that is that since bikes have only one plate, their system wouldn't be sure enough they have the right plate. Since character recognition processes are not perfect, they become much more accurate if they can compare two sets of data for the same vehicle e.g. plate on front and plate on rear. If the analyse both images and come up with the same rego, they can be pretty sure they have a good match and issue the demand for payment.

My theory may of course be wrong. But I don't believe for a moment that they aren't charging us because we're easier on the road or better for the environment. We already know they want us off the roads.

They simply want to collect what they can be confident of collecting easily, just like hitting us for ACC at rego time (or so they thought).

Or maybe they know we'd all be on SH16 or up the old road if they tried it. Not much point in setting up a system for 3 bikes a day who forget to turn off in time.

My $0.02 anyway.


Good point actually, but yea, as you said and as what has been said by people, SH16 = more fun and scenic, and the old way would probably work out faster if you have to wait in line for the pay thing or wait fr the interweb to load etc etc, personally I'd just go through orewa, (call me lazy but taking helmet gloves etc off to stand in line to pay $2 aint worth the hassle)

[ready4whatever]

There is no reason why a motorist should be charged $2 to use the road, while motorcycles get to use it for free

Notice how motorcylists arent motorists under the eyes of AA. motorist = vehicle with engine. AA = fail

[scracha]

Notice how motorcylists arent motorists under the eyes of AA. motorist = vehicle with engine. AA = fail

I can't fault the AA's cover. Nobody else covers all my vehicles AND will get myself + any vehicle I drive back home for under $100.

I do however take issue with their stance on motorcyclists paying waaaay more ACC. Leaving the AA would be doing ourselves no favours. I agree, the best course of action would be letter writing and having a large motorcycle attendance at their AGM. Rather than ranting we have to "educate" them on why :-

Motorcycles should be exempt from tolls
Proposed ACC levies are unfair (farmbikes, dirtbikes, not at fault system, also car drivers, multiple vehicles, etc)
Congestionwise, lane splitting & small motorcycle parking areas benefit everybody
Not all single vehicle motorcyle accidents are rider fault (perhaps a campaign to give huge fine to fuckers leaving gravel and diesel on the road would be useful)


Sorta things BRONZ could do if they were media savvy and not completely ineffective.

http://theaa.co.nz/SiteCollectionDocuments/pdf/Media_contacts_new.pdf
Think it's Mark Stockdale (mailto:mstockdale@aa.co.nz) we'd need to contact in a polite fashion.

[Firefight]

cancelled my membership,

they can fuckin rot in hell the cunt suckin maggots:angry:

final straw never had any gud service from the cunts

oh and btw d path so glad ur over the NZ$2.00 toll

I for one will sleep beta knowing that



F/F

[Bounce001]

They need to charge bikes because of the cars not paying. However, to charge bikes would be extremely expensive for them as they would have to set up new cameras. My understanding is the current ones take photos of the front of the car. They would have to re-position the cameras to take photos of the rear to get bikes.

[cowpatz]

I might have to look at the roadside assist offered by kiwibike.
If they can cover both the cars and bike then I might go for it.
I am tired of the AA's preaching. It seems to be run by a lot of cardigan and sandal wearing old poms.

[ManDownUnder]

I understand there are regional differences is AA fees....

For example - signing up in Taranaki is cheaper than in Auckland...

... oh the irony

[ManDownUnder]

Why should motorcyclists get away with using a toll road for free?

Because their technology wasn't up to reliably reading bike plates if mounted in a variety of ways (all legal - just different from cars) - so they took the approach of getting some goor PR out of being the good guys and "letting us off"

[Pixie]

I've been a member for a long time, and I generally hold them in good steed. Generally I think they are good advocates for road users in NZ.

I would rather try and effect a change from inside.

Anyone know when the AGM actually is?


On the particular issue of the toll road - I'm a bit over it. I would much rather ride around than pay the $2. Actually, I tend to ride around now - even though it is free. Simply put, the toll road doesn't provide much of an incentive for me to ride on it.

So the $2 is a bit of a non-issue for me.




They have been nothing but apologists and PR agents for police bullshit.
What planet do you live on?



And the chances of me paying $2 to be bored...non-existent.

[Shadows]

I went off the AA when they refused to insure my bike "because it's a Harley" and when their auto magazine turned into a fucking "Women's Monthly" / "No Idea" magazine. It went straight into the bin still wrapped.

[firefighter]

They have been nothing but apologists and PR agents for police bullshit.
What planet do you live on?

Yeah fuck the police and their bullshit. This country would be far more betterer and safer without them eh cuzzy bro?

[oldrider]

I can't fault the AA's cover. Nobody else covers all my vehicles AND will get myself + any vehicle I drive back home for under $100.

I do however take issue with their stance on motorcyclists paying waaaay more ACC. Leaving the AA would be doing ourselves no favours. I agree, the best course of action would be letter writing and having a large motorcycle attendance at their AGM. Rather than ranting we have to "educate" them on why :-

Motorcycles should be exempt from tolls
Proposed ACC levies are unfair (farmbikes, dirtbikes, not at fault system, also car drivers, multiple vehicles, etc)
Congestionwise, lane splitting & small motorcycle parking areas benefit everybody
Not all single vehicle motorcyle accidents are rider fault (perhaps a campaign to give huge fine to fuckers leaving gravel and diesel on the road would be useful)


Sorta things BRONZ could do if they were media savvy and not completely ineffective.

http://theaa.co.nz/SiteCollectionDocuments/pdf/Media_contacts_new.pdf
Think it's Mark Stockdale (mailto:mstockdale@aa.co.nz) we'd need to contact in a polite fashion.

Thank you for that information (link) on AA media clowns!

[Swoop]

Generally I think they are good advocates for road users in NZ.
Unfortunately, they only advocate for you if your method of conveyance has four wheels under it...

[BMWST?]

OK.

First the AA stabbed us in the back on the ACC levies.Oh yes, in case you didn't know, it was AA egging the ACC on many months ago that encouraged them (ACC) to think they could get away with it.

Now, yet another example of their anti-motorcycle jihad



Well, I'm a member now. Fortresses are more easily taken when your army is INSIDE the walls.


I strongly encourage other motorcyclists to join up


And we'll make their next AGM a avery interesting one.


long time member,used them about three times,twice for lockouts and a couple of no start/flat battery incidents.Think the wife also did a battery swap with them.Would be interesting to see if we could find out how many members ARE motorcyclists.They dont gather any information in that regard,they may be surprised.

[allycatz]

Wait for a long weekend, take a few hundred bikes, clog up the prepay carpark, then have the public stand in line behind qeue of bikers while each biker fluffs around removing helmet, gloves etc to get $2 from inside pocket of jacket, then see if Joe Public supports the AA after being held up on their journey

[Ender EnZed]

Not all single vehicle motorcyle accidents are rider fault (perhaps a campaign to give huge fine to fuckers leaving gravel and diesel on the road would be useful)

Am I correct in my assumption that most oil/diesel/shit on the road falls out of trucks? Perhaps the AA could try doing something useful and campaign to make it harder for trucks to get a COF. (or whatever the truck wof equivalent is)

[Ixion]

..
If I join AA do I get a proxy vote on their election of officers or do I have to attend their meetings?

I believe that proxys are available.

[chef]

F the AA give me back my $120 for failing my cage learners!@!

[p.dath]

Thinking about it, it is the "Automobile Association".

I guess when you reflect upon their name, they really are representing who they say - car owners.

Perhaps us motorcycle members (me included) have expected something from them (motorcycle suppport) when that simply is not their aim.

[Jantar]

Thinking about it, it is the "Automobile Association".

I guess when you reflect upon their name, they really are representing who they say - car owners......

A good point if it were not for the fact that way back in the dim dark ages when the term automobile was first used it simply referred to a self propelled vehicle and that included two wheeled ones. Its only in more recent years that motorcycle and automobile have been sperated in terms of definition.

[NighthawkNZ]

A good point if it were not for the fact that way back in the dim dark ages when the term automobile was first used it simply referred to a self propelled vehicle and that included two wheeled ones. Its only in more recent years that motorcycle and automobile have been sperated in terms of definition.

So how do I start the "McANZ" Motorcycle Assaiotion New Zealand
errr any one want to join :scratch:

[NZPETE]

Am I correct in my assumption that most oil/diesel/shit on the road falls out of trucks? Perhaps the AA could try doing something useful and campaign to make it harder for trucks to get a COF. (or whatever the truck wof equivalent is)
Your dead right from my point of view. Canned off my bike in Blenheim, just this side of the #2 Dashwood bridge on the up hill bit a few years ago. No reason for it but the cops found diesel on the road where it happened. Told me it would be from a truck that had over filled in Blenheim and that it would have puked out when he started on the up hill section.
Smashed my ankle to bits and spent quite some time in hospital. Have had five operations on it since but still walk like a monkey with a banana stuck up its arse! Have now had a knee replacement due to the fact the accident made me walk funny and has fucked my back but I still work hard and ride my bike so lifes still bloody good. Yeah, fuck the diesel
Cheers!!

[pritch]

They have been nothing but apologists and PR agents for police bullshit.


Funny you should mention that...

The only AA Board member I know personally was an MOT regional chief.
(The terminological inexactitudes as to his job title are deliberate.)

[kave]

If we want motorcyclists to roll the A.A. board at the next AGM, perhaps we should think about suitable patsies to replace them with (I assume rolling the board is what we are intending?).

[What?]

A good point if it were not for the fact that way back in the dim dark ages when the term automobile was first used it simply referred to a self propelled vehicle and that included two wheeled ones. Its only in more recent years that motorcycle and automobile have been sperated in terms of definition.

Further to which, for many years most AA service men travelled by motorcycle to rescue the damsels in distress with their broken Austins.

[JohnC]

We need a motorcycle spokeperson body, maybe BRONZ or something new, don't need to talk sense, just a self appointed united force to bomblast the Govt with.

As BRONZ we did that during the 80's,we even had a member on the NZ road safty council and went head to head with AA several times.
We got no backing from NZ motorcyclists, so in the end most of us packed it in.
Even today the only reason anybody takes notice of BRONZ is because of the ACC thing,,,good luck with that,,,you get what you deserve.

An yeah,this time I did say it,,,you do get what you deserve.

[FROSTY]

Sorry guys i'm struggling with this one. from what i'm seeing here you lot feel that bikers shouldn't pay any toll if they use the toll roads?
Isn't that hypocracy?
i don't think that bikes should pay the same toll as a car but surely if you use it you expect to pay for it

[Trudes]

I don't care about the toll, I just think the AA are cocksuckers.

[Shadows]

I don't care about the toll, I just think the AA are cocksuckers.

Going by the makers of their girly magazine they do seem to be mostly women these days... so at least they're mostly just cocksuckers and not faggots to boot.

[What?]

Sorry guys i'm struggling with this one. from what i'm seeing here you lot feel that bikers shouldn't pay any toll if they use the toll roads?
Isn't that hypocracy?
i don't think that bikes should pay the same toll as a car but surely if you use it you expect to pay for it

I have made submissions three times now regarding bikes and toll roads. The first was related to Route K in Tauranga (and it seems the council agreed with me, as this road is toll-free for bikes).
My point on each occasion were that: (a) the nett revenue they would gain from bikes is negligable, and (b) every method of toll collection ever invented is somewhat inconvenient on a bike.

[kave]

(a) the nett revenue they would gain from bikes is negligable, and (b) every method of toll collection ever invented is somewhat inconvenient on a bike.
You missed (c) if they charged us less than a car it would actually cost them money due to the high cost of administration.

[davereid]

Why can't we have the AA executives names and addresses and personal contact details posted on KB?

The same for ACC executives.

To make a submission to them, I needed to tell them my name and address.

Seems fair, that I get to know theirs.

[The Stranger]

Sorry guys i'm struggling with this one. from what i'm seeing here you lot feel that bikers shouldn't pay any toll if they use the toll roads?
Isn't that hypocracy?
i don't think that bikes should pay the same toll as a car but surely if you use it you expect to pay for it

We haven't contributed to the need, why contribute to the solution?

[FROSTY]

We haven't contributed to the need, why contribute to the solution?
Its simple really--well in my mind anyhoo. If ya don't wanna use the toll road then don't. If you do use it expect to pay. it really is that simple.
Tome its hypocracy when we are going on about acc levvies being unfair yet expect free use of a toll road -ie we expect preferential treatment