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View Full Version : Wellington ride media release



Hitcher
8th November 2007, 08:43
This just appeared on www.newsroom.co.nz's feed. It's also on www.scoop.co.nz.

Well done Colapop!

Wire-Rope Traffic Barriers Must Go

Press Release by Cheesecutter Campaign Group at 9:08 am, 08 Nov 2007

Motorcyclists are angry about the increasing use of wire-rope barriers on New Zealand's highways. They believe that these barriers are being used in the face of growing international evidence that clearly shows these barriers threaten the lives of motorcyclists.

"A recent death on Auckland's southern motorway where a rider and his motorcycle were cut in half by a wire-rope barrier has unified and incensed New Zealand's biker community," spokesperson Col Allen said. "Bikers are tired of having their safety concerns ignored by regulators and traffic planners. Enough is enough.

"We want urgent action to prevent further unnecessary biker deaths and injuries. Bikers are urging our traffic safety policy-makers to take heed of European safety studies about wire-rope barriers and take steps to remove all barriers where these put at risk the lives, health and safety of motorcyclists. Countries like the United Kingdom have banned the use of these barriers. Others have placed significant restrictions as to where and how they can be used," he said.

"As a minimum we are asking for a moratorium on the construction of wire-rope barriers until officials have had a chance to examine what we believe is compelling evidence and develop traffic barrier options that are safer for bikers.

"Any deaths or injuries caused by wire-rope barriers are avoidable. We believe that our transport officials and traffic planners use wire-rope barriers primarily because they are comparatively cheap and easy to erect.

"We want to work alongside the relevant road safety organisations to develop solutions that reduce road accidents and the personal deaths and injuries that result. Meanwhile we want no more wire-rope barriers on New Zealand's roads," spokesperson Col Allen said.

ENDS


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Story Classifications:

Industries: Transport
Planes, Trains & Automobiles:

Paul in NZ
8th November 2007, 08:51
Bloody good effort

MSTRS
8th November 2007, 08:53
Good one Col. Exposure and good exposure like that is perfect

Stickchick
8th November 2007, 08:56
Awesome write up Col!!!!!

janno
8th November 2007, 08:59
Well Done Col! Looking forward to coming down and supporting the cause this weekend. Hopefully I can get a few from NP along as well, there's a ride on tonight which I'll take your flyer along to.

Zukin
8th November 2007, 09:08
Yep what they said, well done Col

Now we just need everyone to support this, and dont think that because you live outside of the main centres that it wont affect you, because it will!!!

They are starting to out these up in rural areas now! :angry2:
There is about 300m of it just North of Masterton (at Mt Bruce), instead of the usual steel barriers they place on the side of the roads

Cheers

Trudes
8th November 2007, 09:19
Good stuff Col, you the man!!

Fatjim
8th November 2007, 09:31
And not a single mention of hugs or cake.

James Deuce
8th November 2007, 09:40
Good stuff big fella. Hints at a desire to make this a proper issue rather than just one protest ride.

Nasty
8th November 2007, 09:44
Good release ... I also like that this is more than one ride .. but taking the issue to another level.

BarBender
8th November 2007, 11:09
Good stuff big fella. Hints at a desire to make this a proper issue rather than just one protest ride.



+1
Malo Col.

chanceyy
8th November 2007, 11:17
awesome work Col .. :clap::2thumbsup

crashe
8th November 2007, 12:05
This just appeared on www.newsroom.co.nz's feed. It's also on www.scoop.co.nz.

Well done Colapop!

Wire-Rope Traffic Barriers Must Go

Press Release by Cheesecutter Campaign Group at 9:08 am, 08 Nov 2007

Motorcyclists are angry about the increasing use of wire-rope barriers on New Zealand's highways. They believe that these barriers are being used in the face of growing international evidence that clearly shows these barriers threaten the lives of motorcyclists.

"A recent death on Auckland's southern motorway where a rider and his motorcycle were cut in half by a wire-rope barrier has unified and incensed New Zealand's biker community," spokesperson Col Allen said. "Bikers are tired of having their safety concerns ignored by regulators and traffic planners. Enough is enough.

"We want urgent action to prevent further unnecessary biker deaths and injuries. Bikers are urging our traffic safety policy-makers to take heed of European safety studies about wire-rope barriers and take steps to remove all barriers where these put at risk the lives, health and safety of motorcyclists. Countries like the United Kingdom have banned the use of these barriers. Others have placed significant restrictions as to where and how they can be used," he said.

"As a minimum we are asking for a moratorium on the construction of wire-rope barriers until officials have had a chance to examine what we believe is compelling evidence and develop traffic barrier options that are safer for bikers.

"Any deaths or injuries caused by wire-rope barriers are avoidable. We believe that our transport officials and traffic planners use wire-rope barriers primarily because they are comparatively cheap and easy to erect.

"We want to work alongside the relevant road safety organisations to develop solutions that reduce road accidents and the personal deaths and injuries that result. Meanwhile we want no more wire-rope barriers on New Zealand's roads," spokesperson Col Allen said.

ENDS



All the MP's from all political parties get the 'newsroom' media release email, so they’ll get to read this.

sels1
8th November 2007, 12:10
Good work Col.
Now lets all keep the momentum building

NZsarge
8th November 2007, 12:17
Top notch effort there Col, well done.:niceone:

Paul in NZ
8th November 2007, 12:31
Whats important is that everyone repeats the message as laid out in the release - not word perfect but the message has to be consistent.

Good idea for any of us is to print it off and carry it with you so if you are asked - you know what the message is!!

Sanx
8th November 2007, 13:00
Great work in getting the press-release out.

Unfortunately, the UK has not banned the use of these barriers. This is a common misconception, mainly due to a couple of mis-worded media articles. They are banned in Holland, Belgium and Finland, and their use is subject to strict conditions (mainly aimed at making them safer) in Germany, France, Spain and Portugal. The EU's Standards Body (which sets Europe-wide specifications) is also conducting an in-depth review into their safety with the aim of either working out a way in which they can be made safe or banning their use Europe-wide.

EDIT: The press-release has been posted on www.cheesecutter.co.nz, in a new section cunningly entitled "Press".

Sanx
8th November 2007, 20:43
The press release, including extra words, is up on Scoop (http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0711/S00062.htm).

Unfortunately, the last line reads:
"A protest ride to Parliament, involving several hundred riders, will be held on Saturday 10 November."

Saturday 10 November? Great...