Three Strikes Protest Run, 5 May

Published on 19th April 2011 10:03

277 Comments

Support the three strikes demonstration ride
Thursday 5th May 12 noon

The government has struck out at us three times now. We will not tolerate this any longer, and it is time we showed them!

What they have done:

1) Used bikers as a smokescreen to mask the introduction of risk based levies, and massive levy increases.
2) Attempted to justify the hike with misleading statistics and unjustified financial model changes.
3) Ramped up roadside 'safety' checks - in reality poorly disguised rego and WOF checks - and now the introduction of demerits for unlicensed vehicles.
What they deliberately overlook:

They tout the risk based system as being fairer for everyone, by arbitrarily creating different road user groups and charging based on the likely treatment cost. Well many of us own multiple vehicles, so appear in those groups and pay more than once. How is it fair we pay multiple levies yet are only eligible for a single treatment? How can they justify a minimum three month on hold period, when that makes it so expensive to be law abiding with infrequently ridden bikes? And to assume all drivers in each class have the same level of risk is at the very least idiotic, if not irresponsible; with the implication that safer vehicles are more important than safer drivers. The myriad of different variables needed to create a truly fair risk based system would create massive administrative overheads to process. This is a system that is not required, not wanted and moves ACC yet further away from the Woodhouse principles towards private insurance.

What we demand they do:

1) Remove the vehicle-based levies, to be replaced with a fuel-based levy collection system as a first step, ultimately returning to the Woodhouse Principles.
2) The minimum on-hold period of three months to be removed.
3) All political parties make their stance known about ACC: whether they are in favour of the no-fault Woodhouse system, if they agree with the move to full future funding, where they stand on risk-based levies and if they would agree to private insurers in the system.

What can you do?

Support the three strikes demonstration ride; this will take place on Thursday 5th May 12 noon. The idea is that you meet up with other protesters, ride together to the local ACC offices, then ride to the National party offices (because we all know who is really behind this crap). At both locations you will arrange yourselves to present a smokescreen of motorcycles: we’ll let them see us and hear us! There will be a letter to noisily deliver to each location stating our grievances and demands. Meeting points to be announced when finalised.

Currently we have ride coordinators for Auckland, Wellington and Tauranga if you would like to organise one in your region let us know!

_{This article was originally published in forum thread:

Three Strikes Protest Run, 5 May
started by
MAG-NZ Inc} _{View original post}

Categories:
Protests

273 Comments

Maha - 1st May 2011, 11:43
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Originally Posted by Gearup

Ok, if you say it's not a go with the mass market then perhaps more of a guerilla approach could produce results.

History is full of success stories using this strategy but it's a fine line to "ride" obviously.

What did you have in mind and what would be the objective given that it sounds as if the ACC issue is becoming a bore.

Sure, but a big arse wooden horse would look so out of place on this the 21st century.

Gearup - 1st May 2011, 13:34
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Originally Posted by Maha

Sure, but a big arse wooden horse would look so out of place on this the 21st century.

It could be disguised as a breakaway political group from ACT or the Maori party.

Maha - 1st May 2011, 15:30
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Originally Posted by Gearup

It could be disguised as a breakaway political group from ACT or the Maori party.

A Hone Horse? I like it.

What? - 1st May 2011, 15:43
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I recently read about a really effective protest pulled off in France a while back.
14 Feb 1789, I think it was.

Originally Posted by MAG-NZ Inc

Due to lack of interest and unforeseen unavailability of some key organisers, the event is canned. This doesn't mean we are letting this crap slide, but we will not undertake protest action without significant numbers. Thanks and apologies to those who were planning to support this action, no doubt we will find other things for you to do in future!

Maha - 1st May 2011, 15:53
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Originally Posted by MAG-NZ Inc

Due to lack of interest and unforeseen unavailability of some key organisers, the event is canned. This doesn't mean we are letting this crap slide, but we will not undertake protest action without significant numbers. Thanks and apologies to those who were planning to support this action, no doubt we will find other things for you to do in future!

Just out of interest, who were the 'key organisers'?
It is my understanding that the finger was pointed at one person outside of mag for the ''canning'' of this event.
As a paid member I believe this enquiry is justified.

Gearup - 1st May 2011, 21:46
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Originally Posted by Maha

A Hone Horse? I like it.

Or a Hidey hole maybe.

GOONR - 1st May 2011, 22:36
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Originally Posted by Maha

Just out of interest, who were the 'key organisers'?
It is my understanding that the finger was pointed at one person outside of mag for the ''canning'' of this event.
As a paid member I believe this enquiry is justified.

The organisers were all MAG members.

It was my call not to go ahead with this event. I have not talked to anyone outside of MAG about this, either prior to or since that decision.

Quasievil - 1st May 2011, 22:46
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I joined MAG enthusiastically I have a pin and everything, to date I aint seen a lot of well anything TBH
if you cant do anything perhaps pull the flag down

seems to me like a waste of fucking time.

Can I get my $30 back please ?

bogan - 1st May 2011, 23:08
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Originally Posted by Quasievil

I joined MAG enthusiastically I have a pin and everything, to date I aint seen a lot of well anything TBH
if you cant do anything perhaps pull the flag down

Perhaps that is part of the problem, you joined mag but expect only a few of us to do the work. We would much prefer it if our members got involved and helped where possible. For example you're obviously pretty in the know about riding gear, we could use a rider gear awareness type thing for our site, so riders can make informed choices as to what gear is appropriate for their riding conditions.

Luckylegs - 2nd May 2011, 08:23
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Originally Posted by bogan

Perhaps that is part of the problem, you joined mag but expect only a few of us to do the work. We would much prefer it if our members got involved and helped where possible. For example you're obviously pretty in the know about riding gear, we could use a rider gear awareness type thing for our site, so riders can make informed choices as to what gear is appropriate for their riding conditions.

But its an ACTION group not a fricken information group... ???

MSTRS:Me - 2nd May 2011, 08:34
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Originally Posted by Luckylegs

But its an ACTION group not a fricken information group... ???

Yes, it is an ACTION group.
Part of that is being PRO-ACTIVE, not just RE-ACTIVE.

The whole point is to raise and promote issues that affect motorcyclists AND motorcycling. Some of that will take the form of demonstrating against things that are anti-motorcycling. And some of if will be putting options in front of motorcyclists in an effort to have them take 'more' responsibility for themselves on an individual basis.
We all recognise that the fence is better than the ambulance...don't we?

Quasievil - 2nd May 2011, 08:35
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Originally Posted by bogan

Perhaps that is part of the problem, you joined mag but expect only a few of us to do the work. We would much prefer it if our members got involved and helped where possible. For example you're obviously pretty in the know about riding gear, we could use a rider gear awareness type thing for our site, so riders can make informed choices as to what gear is appropriate for their riding conditions.

Hang on a minute, an organisation took my money to help fund the action required to combat an agenda I agreed with, I would expect some action from your end, and if MAG arent going to do that I want my money back.

And re gear im a biker to, not everything I do has to involve my business.

Luckylegs - 2nd May 2011, 08:50
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Originally Posted by MSTRS

Yes, it is an ACTION group.
Part of that is being PRO-ACTIVE, not just RE-ACTIVE.

The whole point is to raise and promote issues that affect motorcyclists AND motorcycling. Some of that will take the form of demonstrating against things that are anti-motorcycling. And some of if will be putting options in front of motorcyclists in an effort to have them take 'more' responsibility for themselves on an individual basis.
We all recognise that the fence is better than the ambulance...don't we?

We'll agree to disagree then

MSTRS:Me - 2nd May 2011, 09:26
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Originally Posted by Luckylegs

We'll agree to disagree then

There are all sorts of ACTIONS...including doing nothing.
MAG may not be living up to your definition of action, but they are not doing nothing.

bogan - 2nd May 2011, 09:35
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Originally Posted by Quasievil

Hang on a minute, an organisation took my money to help fund the action required to combat an agenda I agreed with, I would expect some action from your end, and if MAG arent going to do that I want my money back.

And re gear im a biker to, not everything I do has to involve my business.

And we have been doing things (look on the site for more details), but the big action you seem to want, requires active participation as well as membership fees.

Course it doesn't have to involve your business, but we would like it to involve something.

Gearup - 2nd May 2011, 09:48
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Come on MAG admit it, you still haven't ticked all the boxes.

Good intentions, some great people but where has it all gone?

Participation would have happened if members had seen things were being done and I'm talking as someone who signed up and offered help in a professional capacty but got not support.

I could tell in the first month I was there that things weren't well organised despite all the assurance that MAG was going to kick arse.

MSTRS:Me - 2nd May 2011, 09:52
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All these knockers...and they're not even tits.
Is there some problem in stepping up to be counted if others aren't 'doing it for you' ??

This is just like what KM rants about. Plenty who see 'the problem' - as long as it's in terms of being someone else's problem.

Pixie - 2nd May 2011, 10:41
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Originally Posted by Maha

Perhaps try something with the ''Riders Are Voters''...something new/something that will bring alive the mongrel that once was. Its not difficult...
It is an Election year after all.

Today's "Kiwi Mongrel"

Attachment 237828

Gearup - 2nd May 2011, 10:49
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Originally Posted by MSTRS

All these knockers...and they're not even tits.
Is there some problem in stepping up to be counted if others aren't 'doing it for you' ??

This is just like what KM rants about. Plenty who see 'the problem' - as long as it's in terms of being someone else's problem.

People wouldn't have to rant if they were listened to and supported don't you think?

In an organisation if the boss or executive team are wrong they wear the consequences ultimately but the planning takes care of most issues and adjustments can always be made if things aren't tracking well.

It takes leadership, resources and planning to get things done.

The human factor part of resources is the real tricky part but people will "buy in" if things are happening as I said.

Don't take suggestions/ideas/rants as negative. Maybe it's only about the adjustments that people can see are needed to be carried out.

Pixie - 2nd May 2011, 10:50
- Reply
Originally Posted by Quasievil

Hang on a minute, an organisation took my money to help fund the action required to combat an agenda I agreed with, I would expect some action from your end, and if MAG arent going to do that I want my money back.

And re gear im a biker to, not everything I do has to involve my business.

How many MAG rides did you attend?
How many Letters to the Editor did you write?
How many members did you recruit?