Auckland harbour bridge crossing?

[Magua]

Did anyone get up early to join the masses this morning?

[YellowDog]

If anyone had an important journey to make, they would have been screwed.

[Magua]

If transit had allowed the people to cross then they could have controlled the situation. From where I was it looked as if the crowd just broke onto the motorway following some cyclists.

[Big Dave]

I got up this afternoon.

[want-a-harley]

Didn't, but good on em.

[R6_kid]

I was surprised they didn't just shut down the outside 2 lanes from St Mary's Bay to Stamford Street, and slow the other 2 lanes to 50kmh or something. Would have meant less of a disruption.

I was heading in to town and went home via West Auckland, glad i wasn't in a hurry that's for sure!

[Motu]

I walked over it 50 years ago,I don't need to do it again.

[Laava]

Never been that far south!

[Maha]

No but we did manage to get down there, well, under the bridge to be exact.

[motorbyclist]

did anyone think to put the auckland tag there? would've been a right bastard to steal!

[motorbyclist]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2436755/Protesters-block-Auckland-Harbour-Bridge

dumb cunts - do they really expect a non-taxed means of transport to be given a several million dollar walkway that then need ongoing maintenance and security, clipped onto one of the clip ons on a bridge with an uncertain future?

i doubt even 10% of those "protesters" would actually use that walkway as part of a commute

there's already been put in place all the bus lanes and places to stow your cycles, so that people from all over the shore can realistically cycle a sensible distance before bussing into work.

if they want fast/cheap and reasonably clean transport, an fxr150 will get over the bridge fine

[peasea]

Did anyone get up early to join the masses this morning?

They had masses? Are they Catholics?

[Dave Lobster]

They had masses? Are they Catholics?

I saw there were a few young boys there.. so quite possibly.

[Timmay]

I went, good fun. The traffic holdups were due to the police and transit not organizing anything and actually expecting that 10 cops would stop 3000+ people from doing what they had said they would do for weeks.

[Swoop]

It is rather perverse, that a group of people march and disrupt the lives of hundreds of thousands of members of the public... who they wish to represent on a council of the populace.:no:

Surely doing something that helps the population, rather than hindering it, would be a better approach for gaining support for a cause?:scratch:

[SixPackBack]

I walked over the southbound clip on in 1970-something?........the Maori land march was an opportunity at the time for many to cross. My intermediate school teacher took the opportunity and our class did the walk.

My recollection of that day was the walk being stopped at the top of the bridge as the clip-on swayed visually, accompanied by loud creaking. As a lad I was very scared.

The bridge was built in the UK by Dorman Longs, assembled on a field, then broken down and shipped to NZ-my grandfather helped in its construction! Originally the bridge was designed as having an extra four lanes but the NZ government in its stupidity decided to cut costs and remove four lanes. As a result the centre section of the bridge is arguably overbuilt and certainly solidly. The clip-ons are another story. Not long after, realising the bridge could not cope with traffic volumes the Japanese built the 'nippon clip-ons'. Cleverly designed and executed the clip-ons used a higher tensile steel to provide extra lanes without excessive weight. Unfortunately for at least the last 20 years the surface of the clip-ons have buckled and cracked. Ongoing maintenance has seen many efforts to fix the problem with limited results.

The centre span is safe, could last a very long time given maintenance and technological modifications. The clip-ons are questionable at best. The authorities are aware of the clip-ons short comings hence the various attempts to limit vehicle weight and flow.

In regards to pedestrian access: slinging a lane under the main span is the best and only 'real' option. Placing pedestrian access on, in, or attached to a clip-on is never going to happen. 'Marching' [as I found out on the Maori land march] results in the creation of harmonic frequencies that destroy bridges-this is widely known!.......and while having a few people cycle or walk the bridge everyday, the creation of a 'bridge run' [like round the bays] would be a real danger to the bridges destruction.

[Pixie]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2436755/Protesters-block-Auckland-Harbour-Bridge

dumb cunts - do they really expect a non-taxed means of transport to be given a several million dollar walkway that then need ongoing maintenance and security, clipped onto one of the clip ons on a bridge with an uncertain future?

i doubt even 10% of those "protesters" would actually use that walkway as part of a commute

there's already been put in place all the bus lanes and places to stow your cycles, so that people from all over the shore can realistically cycle a sensible distance before bussing into work.

if they want fast/cheap and reasonably clean transport, an fxr150 will get over the bridge fine

Like the hordes of cyclists that use the North Western cycle path every day - not.

[Squiggles]

'Marching' [as I found out on the Maori land march] results in the creation of harmonic frequencies that destroy bridges-this is widely known!.......and while having a few people cycle or walk the bridge everyday, the creation of a 'bridge run' [like round the bays] would be a real danger to the bridges destruction.

eAXVa__XWZ8

Only the harbour bridge goes a bit more up and down from memory :shit:

[Indiana_Jones]

Fucking cunts.

I can understand what they want though, a walkway on the bridge would be a nice idea, make it under the bridge, not on the fucking clip on!

If they get the bloody thing they novelty will wear off in 2 months and when it's winter they won't use it!

EDIT: ok build it for them under the bridge, but toll it for the next 10 years to pay for it. $1/2 one way?

-Indy

[The Pastor]

Like the hordes of cyclists that use the North Western cycle path every day - not.
actually, there are tons of people who use this on a daily basis.

[Morcs]

Police shouldntve got involved.

Just let 80kph traffic across the bridge, people have to move out of the way or get run over. sorted.

[Morcs]

Oh and particularly, where the feck is this walkway going to go on the bridge?
The lanes are narrow enough as they are - the few times ive driven the cage over ive felt like im gonna scrape a truck on one side, and a barrier on the other. They spent heaps putting more lanes in already...

Why dont the fuckers just use the ferry over to bayswater or the bus?
Cyclists shouldnt get shit specially for them until they pay rego.

[Swoop]

Oh and particularly, where the feck is this walkway going to go on the bridge?
They wanted an entire lane converted to "lycra-clad-tosspots and pedestrians only".
For some reason I received an irate message from their website, when I objected to their waste of taxpayers dollars. Fucking strange, eh?

They had the sevice of a "bus + trailer for their bikes" combination some years back, but they didn't support it. Now the fuckers want to spend multi-millons of taxpayers dollars and add to the traffic cockup?
Retards.

[Morcs]

They wanted an entire lane converted to "lycra-clad-tosspots and pedestrians only".
For some reason I received an irate message from their website, when I objected to their waste of taxpayers dollars. Fucking strange, eh?

They had the sevice of a "bus + trailer for their bikes" combination some years back, but they didn't support it. Now the fuckers want to spend multi-millons of taxpayers dollars and add to the traffic cockup?
Retards.

Exactly.

What right do poor people have to get to work quicker than us?

[Scouse]

The Police Managment fucked up badly in my opinion. inspector kelly should be busted back down to a cuntstuble for not having enough police present to stop these ignorant fuckers from holding up the traffic.

[peasea]

Fucking cunts.

I can understand what they want though, a walkway on the bridge would be a nice idea, make it under the bridge, not on the fucking clip on!

If they get the bloody thing they novelty will wear off in 2 months and when it's winter they won't use it!

EDIT: ok build it for them under the bridge, but toll it for the next 10 years to pay for it. $1/2 one way?

-Indy

Exactly. Bikers and motorists pay all the bloody bills and cyclists get what they want for free? I don't think so Jim. Toll the bastards!

[peasea]

The Police Managment fucked up badly in my opinion. inspector kelly should be busted back down to a cuntstuble for not having enough police present to stop these ignorant fuckers from holding up the traffic.

Cunt stubble? that's a 3-day old Brazillian isn't it?

Did you see Supt Bill Searle on Close Up? He was "proud" of the police action.

More like inaction.

[Magua]

They wanted an entire lane converted to "lycra-clad-tosspots and pedestrians only".

Er, no they don't. Their idea was to lessen the width of the clip-on lanes.

[Dave Lobster]

Er, no they don't. Their idea was to lessen the width of the clip-on lanes.

Pfft.. that's a much better idea! :eek:

[Indiana_Jones]

The lanes are small enough as it is.

Also they'll want a shield to stop the wind and fucking jumpers.

Build a walkway at the bottom.

-Indy

[Ixion]

Er, no they don't. Their idea was to lessen the width of the clip-on lanes.

Hm. I LIKE that idea. Narrow the width of the clip on lanes on each side to around, say, four foot wide each. That would allow enough extra for a cycle lane and a pedestrian lane, whilst still leaving the two (narrower) vehicle lanes each way>

[davereid]

Did you see Supt Bill Searle on Close Up? He was "proud" of the police action. More like inaction.

Yep it was inaction. But as irritating as it was, its one of the things about N.Z., and N.Z. police that give me good heart.

In this case, police took the word of a well organised protest committee. They let the police, and the rest of us down.

But the great thing is, the police didnt pull out batons, water cannons, and rubber bullets and lay into the crowd, like they would have in many less civilised nations.

They ensured every-ones safety, and every-one got home un-injured, even if way annoyed and way late.

Mollenaar was the same.

N.Z. police didnt go in with a swat team, they walked in and had a cup of tea. They didn't kick down doors, pepper spray or baton a woman, they were civilised and sensible.

In this case it was a mistake, as Molenaar was mental. Yet, even if they had walked in with all the gear, and force, they may still have died.

But the entire community is better off for the thousands of search warrants exercised each year without innocent partners, flatmates and kids ending up looking down the barrel of a policemans gun.

For my money, no-one needs to get baton charged or shot with rubber bullets when the alternative causes inconvenience not injury.

Those who crossed the bridge illegally, and can be indentified should get a fine in the mail, just like a speed camera ticket.

And the next protest, quite correctly should be treated as an illegal group right from the start. ie different rules apply once you show dis-regard for the rules.

IMHO Normal kiwis, staying within the law should be able to have a protest without being surrounded by a riot squad.

And normal kiwis at the end of a search warrant should not expect the door kicked down, and every wall smashed in.

Higher levels of force should be reserved for those that deserve it.

Well done NZ Police in both cases.

[Squiggles]

Er, no they don't. Their idea was to lessen the width of the clip-on lanes.

See video above :msn-wink:

[Swoop]

Er, no they don't. Their idea was to lessen the width of the clip-on lanes.
Hmm. The presentation that was on Te NEWS showed a fancy curved plastic wall on the edge of the bridge and another wall to seperate them from the traffic. Two psyclists could easily pass each other in between the walls so would take out one entire lane.

Those who crossed the bridge illegally, and can be indentified should get a fine in the mail, just like a speed camera ticket.
I note that some people gave their names, and some gave their ages, to the herald reporters present. Surely the police will be sending a ticket to these people who can be identified?

[Forest]

Sydney harbour bridge has walkways and trains running along the outside lanes. It seems to work out ok for them.

Of course their centre span has a few more lanes than ours...

[motorbyclist]

lol yeah i would approve of a walkway under the bridge, provided the user pays a significant portion: Toll!

The police acted in the best way they could from a PR point of view; they either were seen failing to act, or painted by the media as monsters who beat women and children. I'm glad they took the easy approch. I'm a bit 'miffed' that ltnz didn't just give them a SINGLE lane and see how much they like it, but not surprised they didn't think people would be quite retarded enough to walk in motorway traffic (but then again these same people are also cyclists; so no real surprises here)

[MarkyMark]

Yep it was inaction. But as irritating as it was, its one of the things about N.Z., and N.Z. police that give me good heart.

In this case, police took the word of a well organised protest committee. They let the police, and the rest of us down.

But the great thing is, the police didnt pull out batons, water cannons, and rubber bullets and lay into the crowd, like they would have in many less civilised nations.

They ensured every-ones safety, and every-one got home un-injured, even if way annoyed and way late.

Mollenaar was the same.

N.Z. police didnt go in with a swat team, they walked in and had a cup of tea. They didn't kick down doors, pepper spray or baton a woman, they were civilised and sensible.

In this case it was a mistake, as Molenaar was mental. Yet, even if they had walked in with all the gear, and force, they may still have died.

But the entire community is better off for the thousands of search warrants exercised each year without innocent partners, flatmates and kids ending up looking down the barrel of a policemans gun.

For my money, no-one needs to get baton charged or shot with rubber bullets when the alternative causes inconvenience not injury.

Those who crossed the bridge illegally, and can be indentified should get a fine in the mail, just like a speed camera ticket.

And the next protest, quite correctly should be treated as an illegal group right from the start. ie different rules apply once you show dis-regard for the rules.

IMHO Normal kiwis, staying within the law should be able to have a protest without being surrounded by a riot squad.

And normal kiwis at the end of a search warrant should not expect the door kicked down, and every wall smashed in.

Higher levels of force should be reserved for those that deserve it.

Well done NZ Police in both cases.


YES! Tragic as the Napier siege was, it would be worse to have a militarised police force busting down doors with guns drawn as a matter of course like the US.

The cyclist protesters only wanted to "borrow" the clipon lanes, police were ordered to shut down all four lanes and shunt the pedestrians into the centre in order to reinforce the myth that the outer lanes aren't strong enough. I feel pretty guilty about the northbound motorists who got caught, but that was due to incredibly poor planning by Transit. The police were very professional throughout, but let down by poor planning from above.

Also, what's with the anti-cyclist sentiment here?

[peasea]

YES! Tragic as the Napier siege was, it would be worse to have a militarised police force busting down doors with guns drawn as a matter of course like the US.

The cyclist protesters only wanted to "borrow" the clipon lanes, police were ordered to shut down all four lanes and shunt the pedestrians into the centre in order to reinforce the myth that the outer lanes aren't strong enough. I feel pretty guilty about the northbound motorists who got caught, but that was due to incredibly poor planning by Transit. The police were very professional throughout, but let down by poor planning from above.

Also, what's with the anti-cyclist sentiment here?

I don't have anything against cyclists per se (hey, there's a bicycle not ten feet from where I sit) what gets up my nose BIG TIME is the way those dorks went about making their point on a road thay didn't have to pay for and legally should never have been on!

If they want a cycleway across the harbour then fine, build them one, and put a toll on it so that the users pay, just like the motorists did when the thing was built.

This business of getting people out on bikes is all well and good but cycleways cost money and the nation is strapped as it is. Cyclists should put up or shut up. I think they should have cycle licenses, rego numbers and have to pay for ACC levies too.

It's only fair...........

[motorbyclist]

The cyclist protesters only wanted to "borrow" the clipon lanes, police were ordered to shut down all four lanes and shunt the pedestrians into the centre in order to reinforce the myth that the outer lanes aren't strong enough.

and/or to prevent any "jumpers" ruining the day....



This business of getting people out on bikes is all well and good but cycleways cost money and the nation is strapped as it is. Cyclists should put up or shut up. I think they should have cycle licenses, rego numbers and have to pay for ACC levies too.

It's only fair...........

+1

[twinkle]

Also, what's with the anti-cyclist sentiment here?

There are even cyclists on here who are anti-cyclist :laugh:
People just need something to hate on, not happy unless they have something to bitch about, some people :bleh:

[lti]

What is this bullshit about cyclists not paying for the roads?

Every time you fill your vehicle with petrol you are paying tax that should be going to the roads. Not to mention all the other taxes yoy pay that end up contributing to the roading budget. The arrogance that some people have is astonishing.

[Mom]

What is this bullshit about cyclists not paying for the roads?

Every time you fill your vehicle with petrol you are paying tax that should be going to the roads. Not to mention all the other taxes yoy pay that end up contributing to the roading budget. The arrogance that some people have is astonishing.

Um, I think if you read this thread you will discover the cyclists that are being talked about here are the treadly variety, you know the kind you pedal.

[Indiana_Jones]

Um, I think if you read this thread you will discover the cyclists that are being talked about here are the treadly variety, you know the kind you pedal.

I think he might mean people who own cars/motorcycles aswell as bicycles.

i.e. they pay licence fees for their vehicles and thus they're entitled for a multi million dollar cycleway cause they ride a bicycle on the weekend with the sun out. :p

-Indy

[Ixion]

Oh good. I have a car (two actually). On which I pay rego. And petrol tax. So, by corollary, this means that I do not need to pay rego on my motorbikes? Cos, I've already paid tax when I fill up the cars. Right ?

[Indiana_Jones]

Oh good. I have a car (two actually). On which I pay rego. And petrol tax. So, by corollary, this means that I do not need to pay rego on my motorbikes? Cos, I've already paid tax when I fill up the cars. Right ?

Yea bro!

didn't you know?!

-Indy

[Ixion]

Well, yeah *I*ve known for years. Just keep them all on exemption. Cos, I've paid my tax.

Problem is all these ignorant bloody cops who just don't understand how it works.

Can someone please set them straight.

[motorbyclist]

Oh good. I have a car (two actually). On which I pay rego. And petrol tax. So, by corollary, this means that I do not need to pay rego on my motorbikes? Cos, I've already paid tax when I fill up the cars. Right ?
Don't be silly! You still have to pay the rego on all of them incase you drive more than one at once ;)