NZ road surface condition

[Pussy]

Hey folks. Robert Taylor and myself have had a bit of a yarn on this subject.
We have come to the conclusion that this is a national problem, which we feel should be dealt with in high places... i.e on a government level.
Both RT and myself will NEVER get a job in IT, and on request I have copied and pasted for your perusal the following letter that RT has sent to our local paper. Your thoughts?


UNWELCOME ROAD LUBRICANTS

Dear Editor,

This last Saturday 21st Feb I was travelling north over Mt Messenger. The road was wet and clearly visible in rainbow patterns was a substanial amount of diesel spillage. I was towing a substanially loaded trailer, the effect of that being to take weight off the front wheels of the tow vehicle, thereby reducing ultimate grip and initiating more understeer. So my speed was neccessarily extra cautious but I could still clearly feel tyre slippage over the unwelcome diesel spillage.
Also, as an ex road going motorcyclist and now a specialist supplier to that industry I am rather attentive to road surface conditions. And to that end how we as a nation are largely blase about such a problem that has been with us for far too long. At the time I can remember thinking there were going to be a lot of motorcyclists travelling over this road to the Paeroa street races and I hope no one falls off on this. The very next day a motorcyclist sadly lost his life north of Mt Messenger. Im not suggesting for a moment that there is a link between ''road lubricants'' and this particular fatality. BUT, there would undeniably be a direct link over many decades between thousands of motorcycle injuries / fatalities and diesel spillage / effluent spillage, also poor warning of loose gravel.
It is the 21st century, frankly it is unacceptable that vehicles such as ( especially ) heavy trucks can not only spasmodically spill diesel and animal effluent but they can get away with it without penalty.For want of stronger words that is remarkably inconsiderate of and arrogant to other road users, be they 4 wheeled vehicles ( cars ) or motorcycles that have rather less tyre contact patch.
Why has this problem not been firmly dealt with in years past by politicians of all sides? We have a new Government that has come out of the blocks running hard, I challenge them to take decisive action asap to eradicate this needless risk to life and limb.

Robert Taylor, New Plymouth

[SixPackBack]

Hey folks. Robert Taylor and myself have had a bit of a yarn on this subject.
We have come to the conclusion that this is a national problem, which we feel should be dealt with in high places... i.e on a government level.
Both RT and myself will NEVER get a job in IT, and on request I have copied and pasted for your perusal the following letter that RT has sent to our local paper. Your thoughts?


UNWELCOME ROAD LUBRICANTS

Dear Editor,

This last Saturday 21st Feb I was travelling north over Mt Messenger. The road was wet and clearly visible in rainbow patterns was a substanial amount of diesel spillage. I was towing a substanially loaded trailer, the effect of that being to take weight off the front wheels of the tow vehicle, thereby reducing ultimate grip and initiating more understeer. So my speed was neccessarily extra cautious but I could still clearly feel tyre slippage over the unwelcome diesel spillage.
Also, as an ex road going motorcyclist and now a specialist supplier to that industry I am rather attentive to road surface conditions. And to that end how we as a nation are largely blase about such a problem that has been with us for far too long. At the time I can remember thinking there were going to be a lot of motorcyclists travelling over this road to the Paeroa street races and I hope no one falls off on this. The very next day a motorcyclist sadly lost his life north of Mt Messenger. Im not suggesting for a moment that there is a link between ''road lubricants'' and this particular fatality. BUT, there would undeniably be a direct link over many decades between thousands of motorcycle injuries / fatalities and diesel spillage / effluent spillage, also poor warning of loose gravel.
It is the 21st century, frankly it is unacceptable that vehicles such as ( especially ) heavy trucks can not only spasmodically spill diesel and animal effluent but they can get away with it without penalty.For want of stronger words that is remarkably inconsiderate of and arrogant to other road users, be they 4 wheeled vehicles ( cars ) or motorcycles that have rather less tyre contact patch.
Why has this problem not been firmly dealt with in years past by politicians of all sides? We have a new Government that has come out of the blocks running hard, I challenge them to take decisive action asap to eradicate this needless risk to life and limb.

Robert Taylor, New Plymouth


Don't always see eye to eye with Robert but this time he's spot bollocks on. Where do I sign.

[Skyryder]

Don't always see eye to eye with Robert but this time he's spot bollocks on. Where do I sign.


Same and me to. This is an issue that needs serious attention.


Skyryder

[Hitcher]

It's the 21st century indeed. How hard can it be to build a diesel storage tank that doesn't leak? How hard can it be for vehicle inspection services to check such storage systems as part of regular WOF/COF testing?

And the same goes for stock truck effluent containment systems.

[oldrider]

The crap on our roads these days is way beyond a joke!

There never seems to be anyone held responsible let alone accountable for it either!

Motorcycles are a legitimate form of road vehicle!

Why should we continue to bear the cost of other motorists excesses? :brick: John.

[KingJackaL]

I was about to say 'yes, but what exactly should be done?', but Hitcher, I believe that is a good idea.

Would leak testing fuel and oil storage devices on vehicles as part of a WoF help much? Would it cost much? I guess I should go see if there's research on the topic...

*pulls out Googlor*

It's doubly interesting for me because I'm wearing a cast at the moment due to coming off (on the pushy though) on oil slicks around a round-about... -_-

[duckonin]

Yep I would sign that willingly, With COF's it amazes me they do leak oil and diesel from tanks as for effluent from stock trucks, Well they truley are "pigs" one real bad road to watch is the Karangahake gorge when it is wet, it turns a rainbow colour from one end to the other....

[Ocean1]

It's the 21st century indeed. How hard can it be to build a diesel storage tank that doesn't leak? How hard can it be for vehicle inspection services to check such storage systems as part of regular WOF/COF testing?

And the same goes for stock truck effluent containment systems.

Easy enough to build airtight fuel tanks, but for some reason they don't seem to bother on many trucks. May not be that easy to test, either, need a big figure-8 track. Or a device to tilt them sideways to simulate the same thing...

I was a bit miffed this morning, riding from Gisbourne to Wairoa to find at least 4 moderately extreme examples of deisel incontinence. Compounded, I might add, by an alarming expanse of completely bald blacktop, I found myself looking in vain for a crumb or two of agregate for many metres at a stretch.

I must say the cowshit seems to cause me less angst. So far.

[Pussy]

I must say the cowshit seems to cause me less angst. So far.

Don't ride over Mt Messenger around the 1st of June then! (when dairy cockies are shifting herds).
The road is literally awash with cowshit from stock trucks. I kid you not!

[ynot slow]

And also in this mornings Taranaki Daily News was a story about a farm helper who was killed when her 4 wheel bike crashed,head of Fed Farmers was spouting on about too many injuries/fatalities on farm bikes/quads and serious thrashing to be dished out to owners or workers.Be good if similar could be done to fuel spilling vehicles etc.

[Mom]

Often it is not a fault of the storage system, but of the dick head that fills it. I can not tell you how many times I see a trail of diesel from the truckstop fill station to the intersection of state highway one here and overflow on every corner for kilometres thereafter. I have been known to ring the Police to advise them. We live between 2 of the blackest pieces of SH in New Zealand, I think the 8th and 10th worst in the counrty for fatalities. Everytime it rains here the fire siren goes off and there has been carnage on the road.

Sadly I am yet to actually see the culprit truck/s.

[howdamnhard]

You have my full support Pussy.The road conditions in this country suck.:mad:

[Renegade]

i came over the kaimai's last night and to my dismay as i came out of a 45koh bend was a hole in the left wheel track that was easy a half metre in diameter and i would estimate(as i swerved)10-15cm deep, now this stretch of road claims lives every year without fail and if i was on my bike and hit that hole i would have been fucked.

its just not good enough and if i was in a crash due to poor road condition id be going the company that is contracted to maintain that road for costs.

[Ocean1]

Don't ride over Mt Messenger around the 1st of June then! (when dairy cockies are shifting herds).
The road is literally awash with cowshit from stock trucks. I kid you not!

Yes, I had in mind the occasional patch from trucks and herd road crossings. Much worse than that would be annoying. What's failing, the truck containment systems or the users of them?

[Meanie]

Yep you got my support too, our roads are dismal indeed
Unexceptable to say the least

[oldrider]

Yes, I had in mind the occasional patch from trucks and herd road crossings. Much worse than that would be annoying. What's failing, the truck containment systems or the users of them?

Both, IMHO. John.

[mujambee]

It's the 21st century indeed. How hard can it be to build a diesel storage tank that doesn't leak? How hard can it be for vehicle inspection services to check such storage systems as part of regular WOF/COF testing?

And the same goes for stock truck effluent containment systems.

It's been done in britain: KillSpills (http://www.bmf.co.uk/pages/bmf_main_pages.php?main_page_id=701)

KillSpill Commended companies (http://www.bmf.co.uk/pages/bmf_main_pages.php?main_page_id=717)

[Lonebull]

Hey folks. Robert Taylor and myself have had a bit of a yarn on this subject.
We have come to the conclusion that this is a national problem, which we feel should be dealt with in high places... i.e on a government level.
Both RT and myself will NEVER get a job in IT, and on request I have copied and pasted for your perusal the following letter that RT has sent to our local paper. Your thoughts?


UNWELCOME ROAD LUBRICANTS

Dear Editor,

This last Saturday 21st Feb I was travelling north over Mt Messenger. The road was wet and clearly visible in rainbow patterns was a substanial amount of diesel spillage. I was towing a substanially loaded trailer, the effect of that being to take weight off the front wheels of the tow vehicle, thereby reducing ultimate grip and initiating more understeer. So my speed was neccessarily extra cautious but I could still clearly feel tyre slippage over the unwelcome diesel spillage.
Also, as an ex road going motorcyclist and now a specialist supplier to that industry I am rather attentive to road surface conditions. And to that end how we as a nation are largely blase about such a problem that has been with us for far too long. At the time I can remember thinking there were going to be a lot of motorcyclists travelling over this road to the Paeroa street races and I hope no one falls off on this. The very next day a motorcyclist sadly lost his life north of Mt Messenger. Im not suggesting for a moment that there is a link between ''road lubricants'' and this particular fatality. BUT, there would undeniably be a direct link over many decades between thousands of motorcycle injuries / fatalities and diesel spillage / effluent spillage, also poor warning of loose gravel.
It is the 21st century, frankly it is unacceptable that vehicles such as ( especially ) heavy trucks can not only spasmodically spill diesel and animal effluent but they can get away with it without penalty.For want of stronger words that is remarkably inconsiderate of and arrogant to other road users, be they 4 wheeled vehicles ( cars ) or motorcycles that have rather less tyre contact patch.
Why has this problem not been firmly dealt with in years past by politicians of all sides? We have a new Government that has come out of the blocks running hard, I challenge them to take decisive action asap to eradicate this needless risk to life and limb.

Robert Taylor, New Plymouth


This is good shit, about time someone spoke up over this. The problem is worse than spills and signage though

I came to the Coast in 2000. The roads here then were beautiful especially after doing so many miles around the North Island. I kinda got used to lots of bald patches, slow response times for repair and shoddy work practices i.e. unmarked gravel patches and bad signage.

Since 2000 the number of Camper Vans and other tourists running around the South Island has skyrocketed and the road surface in many areas have deteriorated accordingly (there are other contributing factors). Trouble is the maintenance regimes have remained the same. I travel regularly back to the North island and those roads have deteriorated as well although not to the same extent.

I work in a tourist related industry and I know that millions of dollars each year pass into goverment coffers on the coast alone, let alone the rest of the country. Time to put something back into infrastructure. This place is starting to resemble NZ Rail.

I will write to my local paper too.

On Ya:2thumbsup

[Fly_boy]

Not just "road lubricants" ether in Christchurch its got to the point where i cant ride in a straight line on most roads because of potholes and poor repair of said potholes

[Gubb]

DangerousBastard has already had a resounding success (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=84081&page=5) on this issue, but i'll get in behind youse fullas.

[Sam I Am]

Late last week after some in the wet i spun in slow motion my 4x4 legnum ha has good rubber

I was in Aucks doing only 35kmph going from Simon's St down the slip road to Sanley st

FARK ME i didnt see that comming just thank god I wasen't on a bike.

I didnt even see the diesel and just managed to keep it off the barrier, more luck than good driving that I didnt bend the cage

honesly It was like Black ICE

[2 wheel madness]

We have come to the conclusion that this is a national problem, which we feel should be dealt with in high places... i.e on a government level.


Might also be worth a letter of similar affect to ACC since they foot the bill for injury and rehab costs and also claim to be on a big campaign for mc safety at present.

Full support from me

[bones135]

I couldnt agree more but we have more of a problem with corraugations on corners caused by trucks on the Peninsula. They spend mega dollars each year here patching bits of road that dont need doing & ignore the shitty bits.
Somewhat off track from the original post but still a pain in the ass & dangerous all the same.

[The Stranger]

it amazes me they do leak oil and diesel from tanks


Not really amazing - I filled up the bike a few days back at Mobil on Quay st. There sitting on the bowser was a fel cap. I have noted previously that 3 of us got covered in diesel from a truck with no fuel cap. It happens, we are all human.
But why not a flap in the neck of the tank to prevent splashes?

[Mikkel]

Personally I'd get rid of the contact patch part from the letter. Otherwise it's all good.

Another thing that could be quite easily done to help identify hazards on the road would be to colour grit either blue or red so that it would stand out against the road.

[grego]

my real pet-hate is the loose gravel.
As far as i am concerned , any authority that permits loose gravel on any road without proper warning should be charged with attempted manslaughter or at least with something like trying to cause serious bodyly harm.
This we should be able to do WITHOUT first one of us getting bike and "bits" broken.

A simple 111 call on the side of the road with the mobile should be enough to bring in the cops and have somebody charged with above suggested offences.

But I know i am just dreaming.....

grego

[MSTRS]

Try following a truck with bins of 'rendering' onboard...
Each bin is open topped, filled with greasy, smelly, fat-ridden slop that doesn't stay put in its 1000 litre container.

This is, of course, typical of the laissez-faire attitude displayed by individuals and companies that earn their income directly from the use of roads. There is not enough reporting of this shit, nor are there anywhere near enough prosecutions/penalties. Make an EXAMPLE of a few and watch the situation improve overnight.

[grego]

Try following a truck with bins of 'rendering' onboard...
Each bin is open topped, filled with greasy, smelly, fat-ridden slop that doesn't stay put in its 1000 litre container.

This is, of course, typical of the laissez-faire attitude displayed by individuals and companies that earn their income directly from the use of roads. There is not enough reporting of this shit, nor are there anywhere near enough prosecutions/penalties. Make an EXAMPLE of a few and watch the situation improve overnight.

Don't just make an example, start procecuting them and keep on prosecuting them.
We always get done everytime they catch US doing something so catch them and screw them on a regular bases:devil2:

grego

[kunoichi]

The least they could do is have the truckies call out somebody to divert trafic away from the spill until it can be cleared up. It's not asking for much!:Oi:

[Robert Taylor]

Not just "road lubricants" ether in Christchurch its got to the point where i cant ride in a straight line on most roads because of potholes and poor repair of said potholes

I didnt suggest for a moment that I wanted potholes etc eradicated! Good suspension allows for a nicer ride over such obstacles.
But hey, submitting that letter to Kiwibiker has tested the water and really confirmed that there is a strong undercurrent of feeling about especially diesel and effluent spillage. I am forwarding this to my local MP.

[trustme]

Don't just make an example, start procecuting them and keep on prosecuting them.
We always get done everytime they catch US doing something so catch them and screw them on a regular bases:devil2:

grego

Transport operators got screwed daily by the CVIU , what you put up with is nothing compared to the way heavy transport is policed, they are probably not breaking any law carting render that way . I don't recall ever seeing a load like that getting dumped on the road, You are barking up the wrong tree

[Swoop]

Would it be useful to send a copy to the Insurance Council of NZ?
Surely they are interested in making the place safer?

[MSTRS]

Transport operators got screwed daily by the CVIU , what you put up with is nothing compared to the way heavy transport is policed, they are probably not breaking any law carting render that way . I don't recall ever seeing a load like that getting dumped on the road, You are barking up the wrong tree

Oh yeah? Heard of 'Insecure Load"? Laws definitely exist for this sort of thing, and whether you've seen it or not doesn't matter a damn. It happens. And has done in front of both me and my wife on various occasions.
And despite the apparently improved stock trucks and the wayside dumpstations, it is a daily occurrence around the country to have slurry splattered along the road. I have even seen long swathes of it leaving those dumpstations. I've been behind one in the car on the odd occasion, but (so far) have not met one whilst on the bike.
I have never seen diesel slopping out of a truck, but seen plenty of their leavings.
No trees, but Woof Fucken Woof!!!

[CrazyFrog]

I remember a few years back in Auckland, a baked bean spillage on a corner in Epsom caused absolute carnage, cars crashing all over the place. Now you don't see that every day....
My pet hate is huge ripple strips left by trucks gouging up the tar seal into big ridges in corners, mainly in the summer when roads get warmer. Real fun on a bike:no:

[slofox]

Earlier in the summer, SH1 just south of Ngaruawahia was being "upgraded" or "repaired" or somesuch. At any rate, it was all dug up and was being relaid. This process seemed to take a looooong time.
This morning I ventured along said piece of road, now completed and, assumedly, "repaired".
My arse.
It is as bumpy as hell now - feeling as though it is made of unsealed and nonrolled metal. You simply cannot call it "upgraded" and not even "repaired" in my book. It would have to be one of the epic failures of the year. Who the hell did such a shitty job and how much moola did they extract for such a substandard job? Who inspected it and who signed it off as "fixed"?
Verily, 'tis a mindfucker...

[Blackshear]

I remember a few years back in Auckland, a baked bean spillage on a corner in Epsom caused absolute carnage, cars crashing all over the place. Now you don't see that every day....
My pet hate is huge ripple strips left by trucks gouging up the tar seal into big ridges in corners, mainly in the summer when roads get warmer. Real fun on a bike:no:

Ah. I experienced these on my first ever hot paced backroad run with a mate.
Damn near shit myself when I crossed over the middle line mid corner, never again, goddamn.

[rocketman1]

I totally agree, there is no accountability for the fuel and crap that gets left on the road.
The police can only do so much unless the public report it along with rego plate numbers etc.

Maybe we kiwibikers should all get together and ride to parliament with a signed petition to clean up the countrys road, get on TV and all that.
We have to make a stand, or it will just get put in the too hard bin.

[Squiggles]

t is as bumpy as hell now - feeling as though it is made of unsealed and nonrolled metal. You simply cannot call it "upgraded" and not even "repaired" in my book. It would have to be one of the epic failures of the year. Who the hell did such a shitty job and how much moola did they extract for such a substandard job? Who inspected it and who signed it off as "fixed"?
Verily, 'tis a mindfucker...

Only way i see them changing how they seal is for inspection to take place x days after resealing, and if its not up to standard then then they have to redo it. Would mean more expensive roading (presumably), but better quality.

[yungatart]

I totally agree, there is no accountability for the fuel and crap that gets left on the road.
The police can only do so much unless the public report it along with rego plate numbers etc.

Maybe we kiwibikers should all get together and ride to parliament with a signed petition to clean up the countrys road, get on TV and all that.
We have to make a stand, or it will just get put in the too hard bin.

The media are not interested in issues to do with motorcycles, neither is parliament.