Slippery man hole covers - has anyone tried a petition?

[nmalcolm]

Hey guys,

I'm really annoyed at the amount of steel man hole covers in Wellington (and maybe New Zealand - you tell me!).

Now that it's getting into wet and windy winter, the roads are getting really slippery. I have had a friend fall off her scooter coming up Salamanca Rd in the wet on one of those man hole covers, and I've had a few heart-in-my-throat moments. Especially when they're on corners and you're leaning.

Before I get on a high horse and start a petition (Wellington City Council ePetition (http://www.wellington.govt.nz/haveyoursay/e-petitions/ep/)) I was wondering if this has already been tried and what the result was?

I saw bikers in the UK have made GetAGripUK.org (http://www.getagripuk.org/), they have some really good information on solutions.

I can whip up a Facebook page, or even a website, if there's a big enough group, but I think the latter might be overkill.

I just made a collaborative Google Map to show slippery spots in NZ:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=
212527253743706393653.0004a2fea35e3d5558515.
You can put any problem areas of your own on there if you want. Feel free to add horror stories in the descriptions :P The more stories we have, the more compelling case we can make

Any interest, tips, hints, lawyers, council-people out there?

[jaffaonajappa]

Hey guys,

I'm really annoyed at the amount of steel man hole covers in Wellington (and maybe New Zealand - you tell me!).

-------edit-------

Any interest, tips, hints, lawyers, council-people out there?


One Tip. Dont ride over them - they can be slippery and/or bumpy.
:gob:

[nmalcolm]

Haha yea, that's always the goal. But it shouldn't have to be. Having to look out for manholes in any condition, much less wet ones where you can hardly see anything, and then dodging them takes away concentration from other potential hazards and is, IMO, putting bikers at an unnecessary risk.

[EJK]

One Tip. Dont ride over them - they can be slippery and/or bumpy.
:gob:

+1
</10char>

[jaffaonajappa]

ok. im proly going to get burned here, but.

The country is going broke.
Years ago people used to take care of what the road surface was like, and adjust speed and position to suit road / situation.
I can think of better ways to go spending my tax money than fixing manhole covers.........but fully endorse Wellington ratepayers giving it a crack :D

Im hoping no one who has lost a friend, or knows someone Seriously injured, resulting from a manhole cover accident, reads this post. But thats my 5 cents.

[Metastable]

We have the same problem. I have seen some interesting solutions in some places.

The best one is to have the manhole cover just off to the side of the road or off the road completely. Like that if they have to service them, they aren't in the middle of the roadway.... plus they are out of our way.

Another one I have seen for existing covers, is to have the majority of the cover coated with asphalt. One would still have access to it and it would be far less slippery than a wet metal. Maybe suggest some solutions for existing covers and future roadwork planning... it might make the petition a bit more "interesting". Good Luck.

[Paul in NZ]

Probably cheaper to ban motorcycles in the long run....

[Eyegasm]

Another one I have seen for existing covers, is to have the majority of the cover coated with asphalt.

There ya go... Get a mixer and cover the fuckers up (At night preferably when no one is watching.)

Or make a submission www.motonz.org.nz

Hell, it's what we are paying money for innit?:shutup:

[oneofsix]

I :love: the two big square ones down Aotea Quay, left lane. I try not to change into that lane until I've passed then as their offset means they take over the whole lane. The late change into the motorway lane really pisses the cages off I reckon as most of them do it to queue jump.
Most of the round ones have tops that are designed to be partly asphalted but why should the councils etc pay for that when ACC can pick up the tab?
Motorcyclists are aware of what caused the skid most car drivers aren't and accept that it was their fault or an 'unavoidable accident' :rockon:
You could also submit it to the http://motonz.org.nz/

[Banditbandit]

Hey guys,

I'm really annoyed at the amount of steel man hole covers in Wellington (and maybe New Zealand - you tell me!).


Before I get on a high horse and start a petition

Petitions don't work. It's hard to get them to stay on the manhole covers - and they don't make them any less slippery ...

I just don't ride on them

(PS I know what you mean - used to live in Wellington and didn't think the roads there were that bad until I was back on my BMW and couldn't believe how bad the roads were ... Not sure if it was because the roads had deteriorated (doubt it) or that I had just got used to them because I lived there)

[avgas]

Any interest, tips, hints, lawyers, council-people out there?
Yep - if your that concerned about it, go fix it yourself.
Complaining to others to fix a problem you have is a bit limp don't you think?

[Murray]

get them to remove all road markings at the same time, they can be slippery when wet as well!!!

[neels]

Pop through Timaru some time, they have steel manhole covers that are slippery and also sit a couple of inches below the road surface for extra entertainment

[bogan]

get them to remove all road markings at the same time, they can be slippery when wet as well!!!

Road marking by design are a bit easier to see though.

I say go for it, it can't hurt to give it a go. In palmy I've noticed a few with asphalt covering on top, rest without, most have a decent bump up or down when riding over the manhole covers anyway so I try to avoid them.

[unstuck]

We dont even have traffic lights and only 4 roundabouts.:yes: I would suggest you try to use them as defensive driving practice or something because i dont think they will move all of the sewage and telecom lines just so people can avoid a bit of wobble on a bike.How many accidents have been caused by manhole covers?Good luck though,I,m all for people making changes in their lives.:yes:

[oneofsix]

We dont even have traffic lights and only 4 roundabouts.:yes: I would suggest you try to use them as defensive driving practice or something because i dont think they will move all of the sewage and telecom lines just so people can avoid a bit of wobble on a bike.How many accidents have been caused by manhole covers?Good luck though,I,m all for people making changes in their lives.:yes:

they don't have to move them, most of the time it is a case of just applying the surface to them and making them level with the road as they are meant to be anyhow. But all authorities will take the cheap lazy option unless required to do other wise. As ACC wears most of the hidden cost I would suggest it should interest them.

[racefactory]

They aren't that bad.

Have a relaxed grip on the bars and a steady throttle if you have to go over one when leaning. Providing you are going fast enough the front end will drop slightly as it slides out but providing you have a relaxed grip it will straighten up again no worries.

If you are going slow enough that the front end will wash out completely then you are a muppet and haven't looked ahead.

[steve_t]

Another one I have seen for existing covers, is to have the majority of the cover coated with asphalt.

Probably too expensive and also I would imagine the asphalt would crack easily as it wouldn't be thick enough to withstand heavy vehicles going over it. Probably easier to get some glue and a bag of sand

[unstuck]

they don't have to move them, most of the time it is a case of just applying the surface to them and making them level with the road as they are meant to be anyhow. But all authorities will take the cheap lazy option unless required to do other wise. As ACC wears most of the hidden cost I would suggest it should interest them.

Some of the telecom ones that i have installed down this way on the roadside(shoulder) have a tarseal covering on top. Good point.:yes:

[Quasievil]

What about wet man hole covers on a Race Track ?

[oneofsix]

What about wet man hole covers on a Race Track ?

sounds like a test for your leathers :shutup:

[george formby]

Get 20ltrs of bright yellow vinyl paint, add 10kg of course sand & grit, stir thoroughly. Sneek out late at night & paint smiley faces on all the man hole covers.
Jobs a carrot:yes:

[oneofsix]

Get 20ltrs of bright yellow vinyl paint, add 10kg of course sand & grit, stir thoroughly. Sneek out late at night & paint smiley faces on all the man hole covers.
Jobs a carrot:yes:

Wonder what the legal implications of yellow smilies would be? No stopping on the smiley :yes:

[unstuck]

Get 20ltrs of bright yellow vinyl paint, add 10kg of course sand & grit, stir thoroughly. Sneek out late at night & paint smiley faces on all the man hole covers.
Jobs a carrot:yes:

Sounds like a bloody good idea.:yes:

[george formby]

Cost would be an issue to LTA or council or somebody. Sooooo, propose that the man hole covers are painted with business logos. The business foots the bill for the work & has advertising to boot. Follow the golden arches on the road to fast food heaven.
I'm actually half serious about this, road safety, cost effective & cheap advertising.

[jaffaonajappa]

Get 20ltrs of bright yellow vinyl paint, add 10kg of course sand & grit, stir thoroughly. Sneek out late at night & paint smiley faces on all the man hole covers.
Jobs a carrot:yes:

Awesome. Could almost turn this one into a bumper sticker :)

[Big Dave]

Moto NZ fodder?

[Maha]

A petition on this subject may work in Wellington, I doubt though.
I remember one of the reason Auckland opted out of a bid to host the Aussie V8's years ago was the hassle of fixing the man hole covers. There were other reasons but that one remains the mystery one.

[oneofsix]

A petition on this subject may work in Wellington, I doubt though.
I remember one of the reason Auckland opted out of a bid to host the Aussie V8's years ago was the hassle of fixing the man hole covers. There were other reasons but that one remains the mystery one.

Vague memories of that when Wellington used to host street racing last century. I think it was because the manhole covers have to be strengthened and locked down, can't have a cover coming loose in the middle of the race. After all how many covers rattle when ridden over? Imagine if one popped up as a V8 crossed it at high speed.

[george formby]

Vague memories of that when Wellington used to host street racing last century. I think it was because the manhole covers have to be strengthened and locked down, can't have a cover coming loose in the middle of the race. After all how many covers rattle when ridden over? Imagine if one popped up as a V8 crossed it at high speed.

:shit:

What do they do with them at the street races, Paeroa etc?

[Milts]

One Tip. Dont ride over them - they can be slippery and/or bumpy.
:gob:

This.

Only person I know who came off on one has also totaled several other scooters in perfectly favourable conditions.

Ride to the conditions, road is not the track, they're only really in residential areas and at 40km/h (not a bad speed if it's pissing down) they don't really present a problem.

I'm told they are positioned where they are in Wellington because due to hills, uncoordinated roads etc it's not really viable to have them anywhere else. No idea if this is true or not though.

[Oakie]

Hmmm. I never thought I'd be comfortable reading a thread that started with the words 'slippery man hole'. Guess I was wrong.

[jaffaonajappa]

Hmmm. I never thought I'd be comfortable reading a thread that started with the words 'slippery man hole'. Guess I was wrong.

Hahahah. Hope you werent disapointed.

[skinman]

in answer to a previous query: I believe that for street races they weld the manholes down then come back later & unweld them, exactly how I dont know not being a welder.
I have heard that a race car crossing a manhole if its unsecured will cause it to fly up with the shock. I probably would too if a race car hit me.

[skinman]

Oh yea and have any of you been down Alfriston Rd, I think thats where they keep the leftover manholes, drivers wonder what the hell youre doing weaving between them, impossible to miss them all in a car (i've tried)

[jaffaonajappa]

I have heard that a race car crossing a manhole if its unsecured will cause it to fly up with the shock. I probably would too if a race car hit me.

Yeah - i vaguely recall something about air pressure causing them to come lose - ground hugging cars going 200kph - seems about right.
so...perhaps less to do with slip / grip after all? For cars that is....

[ducatilover]

Slippery manhole covers....:shit: Being a Honda owner I may have taken that the wrong way

[t6at]

Hey guys,

I'm really annoyed at the amount of steel man hole covers in Wellington (and maybe New Zealand - you tell me!).

Now that it's getting into wet and windy winter, the roads are getting really slippery. I have had a friend fall off her scooter coming up Salamanca Rd in the wet on one of those man hole covers, and I've had a few heart-in-my-throat moments. Especially when they're on corners and you're leaning.

Before I get on a high horse and start a petition (Wellington City Council ePetition (http://www.wellington.govt.nz/haveyoursay/e-petitions/ep/)) I was wondering if this has already been tried and what the result was?

I saw bikers in the UK have made GetAGripUK.org (http://www.getagripuk.org/), they have some really good information on solutions.

I can whip up a Facebook page, or even a website, if there's a big enough group, but I think the latter might be overkill.

I just made a collaborative Google Map to show slippery spots in NZ:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=
212527253743706393653.0004a2fea35e3d5558515.
You can put any problem areas of your own on there if you want. Feel free to add horror stories in the descriptions :P The more stories we have, the more compelling case we can make

Any interest, tips, hints, lawyers, council-people out there?

Back to work next week after 2 months on ACC after an (off) round the lakes Rotorua..Built up area blind corner and 2 large manhole covers side by side in my ride line.Went back to said area to get pics for insurance purposes.In an area of about 15 meters we counted 12 manhole covers(the smaller square ones).Fortunately a woman riding with us worked at Fulton & Hogan...She was going to return to work to discuss the problem.Hopefully something good came out of that..Havent been speaking to her of late but will make inquiries.
My bike went under an on coming car so was a right off..Figure it better than me..Thanks the cosmic bikie God for saving my ass..:woohoo:

[onearmedbandit]

Yep - if your that concerned about it, go fix it yourself.
Complaining to others to fix a problem you have is a bit limp don't you think?

I just really don't get this post. While I avoid the covers myself, the op is a motorcyclist with what he sees, and others agree, is a legitimate issue. So he asks if anyone has taken any action previously, or if anyone else would feel like forming a campaign regarding them.

And that's the best you can come up with? I thought that's what representative groups where about.

[jaffaonajappa]

I just really don't get this post. While I avoid the covers myself, the op is a motorcyclist with what he sees, and others agree, is a legitimate issue. So he asks if anyone has taken any action previously, or if anyone else would feel like forming a campaign regarding them.

And that's the best you can come up with? I thought that's what representative groups where about.


Good point, and quite Valid IMO. I was feeling a little guilty for shooting down the idea so early. But...pick the fights you can win, Or select the fights that give the best reward.

If a petition starts up for Wellington to fund Wellingtons man-hole cover fixes - Im happy signing.

[Banditbandit]

Pop through Timaru some time, they have steel manhole covers that are slippery and also sit a couple of inches below the road surface for extra entertainment

DANNERVIRKE .. exactly the opposite - raised manhole covers ..

[PrincessBandit]

Oh yea and have any of you been down Alfriston Rd, I think thats where they keep the leftover manholes, drivers wonder what the hell youre doing weaving between them, impossible to miss them all in a car (i've tried)

And then you get to the tar snakes which breed all across Mahia Road. One joy after another! (Snakes and manholes eeewwww, taking a decidedly dodgy tangent here; my apologies)

[Oakie]

DANNERVIRKE .. exactly the opposite - raised manhole covers ..

Raised manhole covers?! LOL. Come to Christurch and you'll see some sitting on mountains nearly a metre above the road.

[cheshirecat]

Will post links when I find them but the UK AA has a special pot hole filling high grip substance and there are some new grippy MH covers coming out over there (non steel and nick proof).

They don't really bother me these days especially after London DRing, well down the list after old ladies, prams and tourists. Mind you wet muddy cobble stones with tram lines can prove interesting.

[AllanB]

Slippery man hole covers?

Is this a gay thread?

[ducatilover]

Slippery man hole covers?

Is this a gay thread?
Yes.
I have a Honda, you have a Honda.
Let's go bump some man hole covers

[Yow Ling]

:shit:

What do they do with them at the street races, Paeroa etc?


At Methven Street races they mark them with dazzle paint. You can ride over , under or around your choice

[Quasievil]

sounds like a test for your leathers :shutup:

Yeah it was twice on the same day !!, I think I need to do it again

[ellipsis]

....get a sportster...problem over...

[george formby]

Will post links when I find them but the UK AA has a special pot hole filling high grip substance and there are some new grippy MH covers coming out over there (non steel and nick proof).

They don't really bother me these days especially after London DRing, well down the list after old ladies, prams and tourists. Mind you wet muddy cobble stones with tram lines can prove interesting.

First thing I thought of when I saw this thread was my first ride through Amsterdam, totally lost in the rain & Alston village cobbles littered with slush. Their are hazards & their are hazards.

[jaffaonajappa]

First thing I thought of when I saw this thread was my first ride through Amsterdam, totally lost in the rain & Alston village cobbles littered with slush. Their are hazards & their are hazards.

Arghhh. I really HAVE to get to Amsterdam some stage soon. A few hazards I need to investigate.

[george formby]

Arghhh. I really HAVE to get to Amsterdam some stage soon. A few hazards I need to investigate.

After the terror of finding your digs & parking the bike up it's a great place to unwind & totally forget where you parked your bike in the first place.

[Voltaire]

If you think manhole covers are slippery, try riding on wet pavingstones the Europeans like to use in residential areas......
The solution is easy, drive a car.

[Dave-]

Since the earthquake the manholes in Christchurch have become jumps!