Bruiser
8th November 2008, 01:42
Posted this in the Wannabe section here (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/Wannabe & Newbie Bikers) but thought it might get lost there by most so repeated it here as and some may want to see whats happening up there now.
<!-- / icon and title -->Just got back from our annual Raro hols and, seeing it's been a year since our last trip, thought I'd give kb'ers an update.
They have doubled the cost of the Raro "souvenir" license to $20. I chose to pay for the new 5 year option at $50, so I don't have to queue for an hour every bloody time we go there for a few years.
There was a new law in place on 1 April 08' that helmets were compulsory and nobody bothered to say anything so it was written into law. Then the cops starting hammering locals at $100 a time for not riding with helmets so the whole island went up in arms about it.
So the Raro government capitulated, of sorts, and the rule was changed so that helmets were compulsory at 40 kmh or higher. Seeing as most of the locals ride dodgy old runners that wouldn't go any faster anyway, they are happy again riding helmetless, including the pillions, many of which are youngsters.
Now the cops are pinging all the young hoons, and tourists, who get caught doing 41kmh or more, for a $100 donation to the local economy. And apparently you have to pay up or your bike is confiscated on the side of the road. Bit of a problem if it's a renter!
The practicals I saw being done in October were the same as always, out the police driveway, right into Avaroa rd to the only roundabout on the island (about 500 metres), around and back to the station. They were pushing them thru at about ten an hour and a solid queue the day we were there.
And this was the funniest sight we saw there this time (Oct 08'). Check the full 20kg gas bottle the pillion is holding. :eek5:
Pic here (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=109934&d=1226064530)
<!-- / icon and title -->Just got back from our annual Raro hols and, seeing it's been a year since our last trip, thought I'd give kb'ers an update.
They have doubled the cost of the Raro "souvenir" license to $20. I chose to pay for the new 5 year option at $50, so I don't have to queue for an hour every bloody time we go there for a few years.
There was a new law in place on 1 April 08' that helmets were compulsory and nobody bothered to say anything so it was written into law. Then the cops starting hammering locals at $100 a time for not riding with helmets so the whole island went up in arms about it.
So the Raro government capitulated, of sorts, and the rule was changed so that helmets were compulsory at 40 kmh or higher. Seeing as most of the locals ride dodgy old runners that wouldn't go any faster anyway, they are happy again riding helmetless, including the pillions, many of which are youngsters.
Now the cops are pinging all the young hoons, and tourists, who get caught doing 41kmh or more, for a $100 donation to the local economy. And apparently you have to pay up or your bike is confiscated on the side of the road. Bit of a problem if it's a renter!
The practicals I saw being done in October were the same as always, out the police driveway, right into Avaroa rd to the only roundabout on the island (about 500 metres), around and back to the station. They were pushing them thru at about ten an hour and a solid queue the day we were there.
And this was the funniest sight we saw there this time (Oct 08'). Check the full 20kg gas bottle the pillion is holding. :eek5:
Pic here (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=109934&d=1226064530)