Safer Journeys 10 year strategy

[Bald Eagle]

Transport Minister Steven Joyce has this morning unveiled the Government's Safer Journeys 10-year road safety strategy.
...
There were also changes for motorcyclists with Cabinet to consider measures to improve motorcycle rider training and licensing and require licensing of mopeds. The Government also intended to introduce a power-to-weight restriction for novice riders which would be consulted on through the select committee process....

I hope they 'consult' in better faith than ACC

[Big Dave]

On reading what you have there my reaction was - so far so good.

But I'm also familiar with the term 'sucker punch'.

[riffer]

I'm very please with the potential removal of the right-hand-rule. About bloody time! But why do we need to have an investigation into whether power restrictions should be in place for restricted drivers and cars? Should be self-evident. I think BRONZ needs to make some more submissions.

[Okey Dokey]

I was annoyed to hear an AA spokesman prattling on about the motorcycle training being based on the one being used in Victoria. I think it should be generated by New Zealander motorcyclists to suit us. We should have the control, rather than having it handed down/ dictated to us from above.

How do we achieve this?

[spajohn]

I was annoyed to hear an AA spokesman prattling on about the motorcycle training being based on the one being used in Victoria.How do we achieve this?

I learned to ride in NSW, whereas my brother has learned in Vic (later on in life :-) ). Having compared the two the NSW one was far more comprehensive with 2 full days training subsidised so the cost is only $60 to the rider, with all gear provided. At the time I thought it was a bit full on, but in hindsight I think it was great, and at only $60 a bargain.

[Yossarian]

Christ on a stick, that right hand rule.....

Yeah, get rid of that. It did my head in when I lived in New Zealand.

[Big Dave]

I was annoyed to hear an AA spokesman prattling on about the motorcycle training being based on the one being used in Victoria. I think it should be generated by New Zealander motorcyclists to suit us. We should have the control, rather than having it handed down/ dictated to us from above.

How do we achieve this?

Depends if they are onerous dictates or not. I'm still at so far so good.

The Victorian system does call for ugly front number plates though.

[DangerMice]

what do they mean by "require licensing of mopeds"? Registration? well we already pay that. Maybe needing a motorcycle license to ride one? Well that's a good move, but thats licensing the rider, not the moped. Don't understand.

[Berries]

I hope they 'consult' in better faith than ACC

Correct me if I am wrong, but 'consultation' on all this was carried out last year, prior to the ACC palaver. Based on that I am not sure that any of the First Actions are going to be up for further consultation. All these are for new riders anyway, the stage 2 Possible Actions are possible training for returning riders and a vague treatment programme for popular motorbike routes. Nice to see they have dropped the differential levy idea, ha ha ha, but I can't see where my $30 from the increased ACC levy is going to be spent. I think I might ask for refund.

I was kind of hopeful that they would do something for existing riders, as intimated in the discussion document, but clearly not.

Hmm. After further reading and digestion I see they are promoting the benefits of median barriers on high risk rural roads as part of the Safer Roads and Roadsides approach. That will go down well.

[Genestho]

Public Consultation was opened last year in August with submissions closing 1st october?, now all the strategies will go through select committee.

[p.dath]

I was annoyed to hear an AA spokesman prattling on about the motorcycle training being based on the one being used in Victoria. I think it should be generated by New Zealander motorcyclists to suit us. We should have the control, rather than having it handed down/ dictated to us from above.

How do we achieve this?

Perhaps you should take a look at the Victorian system. There's nothing wrong with looking at those systems around the world which work, and then copying them. No point in re-inventing the wheel and repeating the same mistakes.

[Muppet]

Just because you pass a test doesn't make you a good driver/rider. We all know current motorcycle testing does nothing to prepare you for real riding, 90% of which which is done on the open road.

[ManDownUnder]

Public Consultation was opened last year in August with submissions closing 1st october?, now all the strategies will go through select committee.

Aaaaah yes but the more usual "pubic" consultation process is likely to have won the day - again. Step one - interview a bunch of c*nts... Step two get a bunch of dicks to anal-ise the results... step three... see what comes up.

Make sure it's all done behind closed doors so no one is offended and voila - a brand new law is born

[Nutter34]

I'm surprised nothing is mentioned about cyclists... How about a single file rule...

[FJRider]

We all know current motorcycle testing does nothing to prepare you for real riding, 90% of which which is done on the open road.

nor is car driver's tests ...

[FJRider]

I'm surprised nothing is mentioned about cyclists... How about a single file rule...

You mean something to the effect that they are NOT to "impede the flow of traffic" ????? :innocent:

[jafar]

I was annoyed to hear an AA spokesman prattling on about the motorcycle training being based on the one being used in Victoria. I think it should be generated by New Zealander motorcyclists to suit us. We should have the control, rather than having it handed down/ dictated to us from above.

How do we achieve this?

Didn't the "right hand rule" come from victoria??

[Berries]

Didn't the "right hand rule" come from victoria??

Didn't they realise their mistake and change it back ?

[p.dath]

Didn't the "right hand rule" come from victoria??

Yes.


Didn't they realise their mistake and change it back ?

Yes.

[Bald Eagle]

NZ is developing a really good history of repeating overseas mistakes without the benefit of learning from the process.

[Pixie]

Christ on a stick, that right hand rule.....

Yeah, get rid of that. It did my head in when I lived in New Zealand.

The right hand rule was adopted after Victoria brought it in,because Victoria is the be all and end all in traffic safety in the eyes of the wankers that govern the roads in NZ.
Unfortunately it was supposed to help with the trams and their unique problems for cars in Melbourne.The wankers in NZ did not remember that we don't have trams anymore when they slavishly followed.
In Victoria,however, the rule was a total failure in it's objective of improving safety and was canned after a couple of years.

[Okey Dokey]

Perhaps you should take a look at the Victorian system. There's nothing wrong with looking at those systems around the world which work, and then copying them. No point in re-inventing the wheel and repeating the same mistakes.

Thanks, I already have had a look. The only major difference to what we already have, is the power to weight allowance for learners/probationary. Otherwise it is a progressive system with restrictions like we currently have.

What annoyed me was 1) that the AA was the spokesperson in regards to motorcycle training, when they clearly demonstrated that they are fairly anti-motorbike during the ACC campaign and 2) that there was no discussion of training, ie riders' education, skills, advanced riders training which I thought was something many bikers think is a good idea.

There are courses here in NZ available on an optional basis, for those wishing to shorten the length of their learner/restricted licence period, or those keen to practice and upskill. Perhaps there should be more emphasis placed on such training.

[p.dath]

...
What annoyed me was 1) that the AA was the spokesperson in regards to motorcycle training, when they clearly demonstrated that they are fairly anti-motorbike during the ACC campaign and 2) that there was no discussion of training, ie riders' education, skills, advanced riders training which I thought was something many bikers think is a good idea.


Training is always a tricky one. Everyone agrees there should be more of it, but we can't get agreement for what that training should be, who should do it, and how it should be implemented.

If you have any good ideas I'm more than happy to present them to the AA. I can tell you that the AA is supportive of increased training (for all road users), but they have not looked into how this should be done for motorcyclists.

[Okey Dokey]

I agree totally. Training is a very tricky one for exactly the reasons you stated. Cost will always be a factor in trying to train learners in particular. And advanced rider training would be hard to mandate. Hmmmm...dunno.

[Clockwork]

The right hand rule was adopted after Victoria brought it in,because Victoria is the be all and end all in traffic safety in the eyes of the wankers that govern the roads in NZ.
Unfortunately it was supposed to help with the trams and their unique problems for cars in Melbourne.The wankers in NZ did not remember that we don't have trams anymore when they slavishly followed.
In Victoria,however, the rule was a total failure in it's objective of improving safety and was canned after a couple of years.

I think the "tram rule" you are referring to is the requirement for right turning vehicles to move to the left side of the road before making their turn across both lanes of traffic. That rule still applies in Victoria today! But you are right about the fact that our traffic saftey nazis seem pre-occupied with follwing wherever Victoria leads.

Strange thing is, in Victoria your vehicle only needs a "WOF' type examination when you want to sell it. or so I understand.

[Genestho]

Aaaaah yes but the more usual "pubic" consultation process is likely to have won the day - again. Step one - interview a bunch of c*nts... Step two get a bunch of dicks to anal-ise the results... step three... see what comes up.

Make sure it's all done behind closed doors so no one is offended and voila - a brand new law is born

Mr MDU! G'day!

Hey, I know, processes are frustrating, maybe 18 months ago, a review was conducted into ignition interlocks and recidivist drink drive legislation - meanwhile more deaths occured, very frustrating, the process between there and here has been long, and it's not over yet.

If you're not involved in as many if not all processes as possible, then it will feel like closed doors. It requires effort beyond belief sometimes.

People give up too easy in what they believe in.

Bring on select committee :D

[Muppet]

I reckon once you get your full motorbike licence, you should have to attend a training course with whatever bike you intend riding. For example once you get a full licence, there's nothing stopping you from buying and riding a 10 year old R1 with high mileage for say $6500 - $7000. It will still go like a rocket with that monster torque (I've owned one) but who can teach you how to ride it? Thank god when I was a nipper the only thing I could afford was a $4500 1986 CBX550F Integra, even then I couldn't ride for shit, had a few hairy moments on the decreasing radius corners that adorn the Akaroa highway. 60 bhp, weight 220 kg versus an R1 with 150 bhp weight 175 kg. The only fast thing I rode was a GPZ750 Turbo, took it for a spin for 5 mins and was still shaking 20 mins later!

[Pixie]

I think the "tram rule" you are referring to is the requirement for right turning vehicles to move to the left side of the road before making their turn across both lanes of traffic. That rule still applies in Victoria today! But you are right about the fact that our traffic saftey nazis seem pre-occupied with follwing wherever Victoria leads.

Strange thing is, in Victoria your vehicle only needs a "WOF' type examination when you want to sell it. or so I understand.

The aberrant turning rule was an attempt to improve the "tram rule" tendencies to cause crashes.

Infrequent or nonexistent "WOF" requirements are the rule not the exception throughout the world.Most jurisdictions require the cops to stop vehicles with obvious faults like blown headlights,not pretend not to notice them.

[Pedrostt500]

So what do we as Motorcyclists want?, in our safer Journeys, 10 year stratergy.
Its high time that moped riders should get a specific moped Licence, getting by on a car learners licence may have been Ok 20 yrs ago, but the traffic volumes on our streets, have increased, and with out even having to prove basic handeling skills, and never mind having to prove that it is mechanicaly safe to ride, is some thing that needs to change as well.
Having a graduated power to weight ratio system that can be broken into 2 or 3 parts, and going through training courses to advance up the scale,with out needing to re-sit ones licence again, this is some thing that the Motorcycling Industry could sponsor, because they want to sell the bikes.
Personaly I would like to see the Numbers of Motorcyclists and Scooter riders double in the next 10 years, the greater numbers we have the better deal we get out of the Government and Government Departments, the more of the roading budget will be spent in our interest, and the more will be done at local body Govenment levels for us.
The down side is there will be greater numbers riding your favourite weekend roads, but I would think the greatest increases would be in the commuter side of motorcycling.

[newbould]

[QUOTE=Pedrostt500;1129672915] Having a graduated power to weight ratio system that can be broken into 2 or 3 parts, and going through training courses to advance up the scale,with out needing to re-sit ones licence again, this is some thing that the Motorcycling Industry could sponsor, because they want to sell the bikes.
QUOTE]
+1 but remember this is a big little country with thin population areas around the place. In Dunedin we are lucky to have RRRS but no commercial instructors. More rural riders would have even more difficulties

[Pedrostt500]

[QUOTE=Pedrostt500;1129672915] Having a graduated power to weight ratio system that can be broken into 2 or 3 parts, and going through training courses to advance up the scale,with out needing to re-sit ones licence again, this is some thing that the Motorcycling Industry could sponsor, because they want to sell the bikes.
QUOTE]
+1 but remember this is a big little country with thin population areas around the place. In Dunedin we are lucky to have RRRS but no commercial instructors. More rural riders would have even more difficulties
Yes granted, we do have areas wher the population is thin, I geuss that those who live in these areas will have to factor this into their equations, or bann together with others in their area to get an instructor to come through to hold the course, or a local could become a part time instructor.