BRONZ Update

[shrub]

When are we going to protest outside the ACC offices around the country? Come on, i'm sick of being mr nice guy and want to kick some ASS!!! For a BIG city like Auckland we dont seem to be doing much protesting!The more money the government extracts out of me, more of my "life force" is getting drained from my soul.

That won't actually achieve anything. The ACC staff are not the ones making the decisions, it's a political decision and unfortunately the politicians have put their best offer on the table, so any form of protest is of limited value. I'm afraid the levies we've been told we'll pay are the best we'lll get, but there is still room for negotiation and we are still able to negotiate concessions from the government and ACC.

My position is that we're paying more, so we would like to get more for our money in terms of meeting our needs to ride motorcycles safely. What needs to happen now is professional and effective lobbying of local and central government as well as service agencies like ACC to change legislation, riding environment, resource provision, education etc. Protests will change nothing, but negotiation and reasoned debate will.

The next question is, are BRONZ up to it? Do they have access to the specialised skills and resources they need? Or are they limited to organising a few protest rides and having a few meetings?

[bogan]

That won't actually achieve anything. The ACC staff are not the ones making the decisions, it's a political decision and unfortunately the politicians have put their best offer on the table, so any form of protest is of limited value. I'm afraid the levies we've been told we'll pay are the best we'lll get, but there is still room for negotiation and we are still able to negotiate concessions from the government and ACC.

My arse thats their best offer, It's only their best offer If you believe Nationals bullshit that future funding is required, which is clearly just an attempt to privative ACC.

The next question is, are BRONZ up to it? Do they have access to the specialised skills and resources they need? Or are they limited to organising a few protest rides and having a few meetings?

I have faith that BRONZ will keep up the pressure, and make the future funding/privatisation of acc one of the big issues for the next election. Though there are a number of unions getting on board towards the same goal now as well, hence the next big welli protest which is not just for bikers.

[shrub]

My arse thats their best offer, It's only their best offer If you believe Nationals bullshit that future funding is required, which is clearly just an attempt to privative ACC.


I have faith that BRONZ will keep up the pressure, and make the future funding/privatisation of acc one of the big issues for the next election. Though there are a number of unions getting on board towards the same goal now as well, hence the next big welli protest which is not just for bikers.

I wish I had your faith. I agree that it's all a very carefully planned strategy by the National Party to privatise the ACC, but the public have a very short memory and all you need to do is see how little action has been happening on the ACC threads on KB to show that people have accepted and moved on. The politicians have made a significant concession (the cynic in me says we are paying what they originally intended and that the previous levies were just them going in high so they could be seen to make a concession), and that means they have backed down. National are a very popular government, and even if every motorcyclist in NZ voted Labour it might cost them 1 or 2 seats tops, and that won't happen.

As for BRONZ keeping up the pressure and making privatisation of ACC a big issue, they are not obviously putting any pressure on anything right now and I honestly doubt they have the resources to make privatisation of ACC an election issue, let alone being seen as an opinion leader outside a very narrow constituency.

[bogan]

hmmm, self fulfilling prophecy situation, if we all do nothing cos we assume bikers have accepted it then nothing will change, if we all get up in arms about it, hopefully things will change. One reason for the lack of activity on KB about it is that theres not really much to say atm, the facts are out in the open, most are set in thier opinions. So bugger all to do except actually get out there and protest, which I think (hope anyways) most bikers are willing to do, but few are willing to put in the work to organize (big ups to all those who do), next big one (with the unions) is scheduled for mid feb, see where we go from there I spose.

And as for the "is BRONZ up to it?" question, Im not well acquainted enough with politicking (and I hope to god I never will be ) to answer that, but they are the best we have, and stand the best chance If we get behind them 100%

[shrub]

hmmm, self fulfilling prophecy situation, if we all do nothing cos we assume bikers have accepted it then nothing will change, if we all get up in arms about it, hopefully things will change. One reason for the lack of activity on KB about it is that theres not really much to say atm, the facts are out in the open, most are set in thier opinions. So bugger all to do except actually get out there and protest, which I think (hope anyways) most bikers are willing to do, but few are willing to put in the work to organize (big ups to all those who do), next big one (with the unions) is scheduled for mid feb, see where we go from there I spose.

And as for the "is BRONZ up to it?" question, Im not well acquainted enough with politicking (and I hope to god I never will be ) to answer that, but they are the best we have, and stand the best chance If we get behind them 100%

Unfortunately the time for protests and "getting up in arms" is over, and that is reflected by BRONZ stating that they won't be engaged in protest action in Q1. Don't get me wrong, I love a nice big protest ride as much as the next man, but the main purposes of a protest are to: inform the political elites of the mood and will of the people and gain support for a position from outsiders. The pollies know how we feel and how pissed off we are (I suspect they always knew), but it's nearly 2 years before the next election and National are sitting pretty - even if every biker in the country voted labour, given current polling figures National would still get in. So telling them we're pissed off achieves little, and to compound the situation ACC levies are old news. In December Knuckles organised a ride with 1200 participants and the media didn't even give it a one liner, and without media coverage protests are never going to be effective.

The general public had some sympathy for us, but given the "generous" concessions made by our loving leaders I suspect that that well of sympathy has been tapped. A lot of car drivers see us as piss drinking morons who ride noisy bikes waaaaay too fast and take stupid risks, and I don't blame them for holding that opinion because bike runs always seem to decend on pubs and any citizen who has ever driven to Akaroa on a weekend has had a bike scream past them on a blind corner. The media like that look because it's Othering which is a socillogial term to describe creating the perception of a group of people not like us - others, therefore building perceived social conflict, which is why they love giving the mike to a burly middle aged man with a goatee and a leather jacket.

Another protest, especially one that disrupts Mike and Mary Citizen as they engage in the sacred ritual of shopping on a Saturday morning will achieve little, and may even be counterproductive - "look at all those horrid, rough bikers. All the do is complain about paying for all the millions of accidents they have".

As for BRONZ being the best we have, they're a great organisation with some good people. From what I understand there are several other groups that are in existence and forming who can work alongside BRONZ and share resources.

[riffer]

We're going back to Parliament on February 16. Members of BRONZ Welly and Kiwibiker, along with representatives of major union organisations, ACC Futures Coalition and other interested parties met last night to work on the fine details of how the protest action will be undertaken that day. We already have permission to take over Parliament grounds. More info will come in the next few days. In the meantime we'll try and give you more info as it's agreed upon.

[gazmascelle]

We're going back to Parliament on February 16. Members of BRONZ Welly and Kiwibiker, along with representatives of major union organisations, ACC Futures Coalition and other interested parties met last night to work on the fine details of how the protest action will be undertaken that day. We already have permission to take over Parliament grounds. More info will come in the next few days. In the meantime we'll try and give you more info as it's agreed upon.

Is there a thread for this protest?

[riffer]

Is there a thread for this protest?

Of course.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...and-the-Unions

[Pedrostt500]

BRONZ Wellington branch, had a good meeting tonight, at the Parrot and Jigger bar, our first for 2010, we are still feeling our way forward, learning to crawl before we walk and run, we are small in Numbers at the moment but very keen to grow, so any one interested in joining us, feel free to PM, or if you are local ish rock up to the Parrot and Jigger bar, in Lower Hutt, on the Second Tuesday of each month, @ 7pm,and we will be happy to meet you.
There will be many issues at Local level and National levels that will affect Motorcyclists, as Individuals, Clubs and.
ACC and the Cheese Cutters being two of the biggies of recent times, with stronger Membership Numbers, we can be more effective in lobbing for a better deal for our Members. We would like to hear from you if you belong to any Motorcycling Clubs, both on road and off, as we do not discriminate against what you ride, with in the Motorcycling Spectrum, or even if you don't ride but have an interest in Motorcycling.


Pedro

[GerryAttrick]

You've gotta hand it to the french - they know how to make and effective protest.



French motorcyclists more angry than ever March 14, 2010] Last month,
we published a post where we said that thousands of motorcyclists were
expected to demonstrate all over France in protest at a recent
Government announcement to fine any bikers caught filtering through
the traffic. Well, the demonstrations took place yesterday, 13th March
2010. More than 60 cities and towns saw their roads blocked by
thousands of angry bikers who said NON to the French authorities who
keep treating motorbikes, scooters and mopeds like cars.
The French Government have recently announced their intention to take
draconian measures against bikers who overtake cars and filter in
between them in traffic jams by issuing expensive fines. They expect
every bike to stay in lane, like cars, behind each other, and not go
any faster than them. How stupid is that? Paris, for instance, but
also Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux and Toulouse are already very
congested cities due to the high number of cars in circulation, and
the Government is keen to add more pressure on the roads by forcing
Powered Two Wheelers (PTW) to behave like cars.
They treat us like cars, we will behave like cars!

La F?d?ration Fran?aise des Motards en Col?re (FFMC - the French
Federation of Angry Bikers) urged all motorcyclists on the other side
of the Channel to protest and, as a result, France saw a total of
40,000 motorcyclists gathered on the roads yesterday, with 10,000 of
them in Paris alone. Parisian motorcyclists joined the FFMC at 2pm at
Ch?teau de Vincennes, on the outskirts of Paris. There were already
5,000 bikers at 1.30pm, another 2,200 joined between 1.30pm and 2pm
and the rest joined during the demonstration.

If one car = one bike, let's see the results!
Angry bikers took over the whole p?riph?rique (the express road
running around the centre of Paris), each occupying the space of one
car in each lane. Within minutes, an enormous traffic jam was created
by these 10,000 motorcyclists, thus gridlocking the whole of Paris on
a busy Saturday afternoon, when Parisians go out to do their shopping
and visit friends and relatives. The result was absolutely
spectacular, car drivers were stuck in traffic until late in the
evening by the time all the traffic jams cleared.
Let?s cause massive disruption in the metro!

Did you say bikers, if not happy, had to take the metro like everyone
else? Fine, let's do it!
For anyone who decided to leave their car at home and take the metro
instead, unfortunately that didn?t help. In response to a statement
made by the French Transport Secretary, Jean-Marc Belotti, who said
?If they [bikers] are not happy, they can take the metro like everyone
else?, protestors took over the Paris underground network. While some
bikers continued to block the roads and cause standstill overground,
others went down the underground en masse and occupied an entire
train, thus bringing the entire line to a complete stop. We let you
imagine the outcome if thousands of motorcyclists left their bike at
home and commuted by tube. This is valid in London too, if Westminster
City Council continue to stealth tax bikers to park, thus increase the
cost of motorcycling. Next time, Mr Belotti will think twice before
opening his mouth!
UK France Bikers are very proud indeed of the FFMC and their actions
to protect the rights of motorcyclists in France. The FFMC is a real
example to follow for everyone. It is now time that public
authorities, wherever they are in the world, realise that they?re not
above everyone else. To the contrary, they are there to serve the
people who elected them.
They inconvenience us, we will inconvenience them! Power to the people!

Please join and support the campaign to stop Westminster Council from
stealth taxing motorcyclists to park before their scheme spreads all
over the UK and the rest of Europe. For further details, visit
http://www.notobikeparkingtax.com/

[mashman]

Bravo... It'll be interesting to see if it makes a difference... I'm kinda hoping that the govt keep pressing and see what the fuck you French come up with... the Brits will do fuck all... (maybe)

[pornoshauno]

You've gotta hand it to the french - they know how to make and effective protest.



French motorcyclists more angry than ever March 14, 2010] Last month,
we published a post where we said that thousands of motorcyclists were
expected to demonstrate all over France in protest at a recent
Government announcement to fine any bikers caught filtering through
the traffic. Well, the demonstrations took place yesterday, 13th March
2010. More than 60 cities and towns saw their roads blocked by
thousands of angry bikers who said NON to the French authorities who
keep treating motorbikes, scooters and mopeds like cars.
The French Government have recently announced their intention to take
draconian measures against bikers who overtake cars and filter in
between them in traffic jams by issuing expensive fines. They expect
every bike to stay in lane, like cars, behind each other, and not go
any faster than them. How stupid is that? Paris, for instance, but
also Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux and Toulouse are already very
congested cities due to the high number of cars in circulation, and
the Government is keen to add more pressure on the roads by forcing
Powered Two Wheelers (PTW) to behave like cars.
They treat us like cars, we will behave like cars!

La F?d?ration Fran?aise des Motards en Col?re (FFMC - the French
Federation of Angry Bikers) urged all motorcyclists on the other side
of the Channel to protest and, as a result, France saw a total of
40,000 motorcyclists gathered on the roads yesterday, with 10,000 of
them in Paris alone. Parisian motorcyclists joined the FFMC at 2pm at
Ch?teau de Vincennes, on the outskirts of Paris. There were already
5,000 bikers at 1.30pm, another 2,200 joined between 1.30pm and 2pm
and the rest joined during the demonstration.

If one car = one bike, let's see the results!
Angry bikers took over the whole p?riph?rique (the express road
running around the centre of Paris), each occupying the space of one
car in each lane. Within minutes, an enormous traffic jam was created
by these 10,000 motorcyclists, thus gridlocking the whole of Paris on
a busy Saturday afternoon, when Parisians go out to do their shopping
and visit friends and relatives. The result was absolutely
spectacular, car drivers were stuck in traffic until late in the
evening by the time all the traffic jams cleared.
Let?s cause massive disruption in the metro!

Did you say bikers, if not happy, had to take the metro like everyone
else? Fine, let's do it!
For anyone who decided to leave their car at home and take the metro
instead, unfortunately that didn?t help. In response to a statement
made by the French Transport Secretary, Jean-Marc Belotti, who said
?If they [bikers] are not happy, they can take the metro like everyone
else?, protestors took over the Paris underground network. While some
bikers continued to block the roads and cause standstill overground,
others went down the underground en masse and occupied an entire
train, thus bringing the entire line to a complete stop. We let you
imagine the outcome if thousands of motorcyclists left their bike at
home and commuted by tube. This is valid in London too, if Westminster
City Council continue to stealth tax bikers to park, thus increase the
cost of motorcycling. Next time, Mr Belotti will think twice before
opening his mouth!
UK France Bikers are very proud indeed of the FFMC and their actions
to protect the rights of motorcyclists in France. The FFMC is a real
example to follow for everyone. It is now time that public
authorities, wherever they are in the world, realise that they?re not
above everyone else. To the contrary, they are there to serve the
people who elected them.
They inconvenience us, we will inconvenience them! Power to the people!

Please join and support the campaign to stop Westminster Council from
stealth taxing motorcyclists to park before their scheme spreads all
over the UK and the rest of Europe. For further details, visit
http://www.notobikeparkingtax.com/

Love the story man, why cant we kick butt like that? I just saw a story on tv bout that mountain biker impaling himself and thought yep i'm paying his ACC levies! It just aint F*&%kin fair. This country is starting to suck. no wonder everyone else is crossing the ditch! Have we just rolled over to this govt and invited them to tickle our tummies? Are we a bunch of soft c&*ks? I wanna kick some f&&*kin Arse! Like Les Mason said "Its just plain thievery" I AINT GONE AND IM NOT FORGETTING.....

[pete376403]

Oh yeah, and that mountain bikers wrist impalement wasn't his first injury either - he listed a whole bunch of bits injured or broken. And no doubt every one of them an ACC claim.

[cheshirecat]

And there is this re Westminster Bike parking fees in London - note the use of sms and general strategy

http://www.notobikeparkingtax.com/

[jamov13]

...This country is starting to suck. no wonder everyone else is crossing the ditch! Have we just rolled over to this govt...

Yeah man, I agree. This country is turning into a pack of loser pussy's. Can't win rugby, getting over taxed and expected to be all happy about it. Let's wake the #@Ck UP! I won't stand for this type of $#IT much longer.

I also agree with the bloke who wants to protest at the local ACC offices. That's exactly the type of action that DOES get results.

Oh yeah and why the #@CK can some Nazi small-man ticket book wielding C@#T give me a ticket for no warrant or rego... What next? Speeding tickets and other "Police" work?

...Are we a bunch of soft c&*ks? I wanna kick some f&&*kin Arse!

HELL NO! Not all of us! I'm with you man.

I'd love to ride in to ACC's closest local office, do a sick, long, lung choking burnout all the way back out their shinny automatic double glass doors.

[red mermaid]

Well, go for it, don't let us hold you back, and I look forward to reading about it in the paper.

[Katman]

Yeah man, I agree. This country is turning into a pack of loser pussy's. Can't win rugby, getting over taxed and expected to be all happy about it. Let's wake the #@Ck UP! I won't stand for this type of $#IT much longer.

I also agree with the bloke who wants to protest at the local ACC offices. That's exactly the type of action that DOES get results.

Oh yeah and why the #@CK can some Nazi small-man ticket book wielding C@#T give me a ticket for no warrant or rego... What next? Speeding tickets and other "Police" work?



HELL NO! Not all of us! I'm with you man.

I'd love to ride in to ACC's closest local office, do a sick, long, lung choking burnout all the way back out their shinny automatic double glass doors.

It's retards like you that play straight into the governments hand.

[duckonin]

People hold the power but fail to use it wisely in NZ, in other words when there is a protest it should be complete disruption nothing less....

[Katman]

People hold the power but fail to use it wisely in NZ, in other words when there is a protest it should be complete disruption nothing less....

And the course of 'complete disruption' will achieve nothing other than the speedier demise of motorcycling.

[duckonin]

And the course of 'complete disruption' will achieve nothing other than the speedier demise of motorcycling.

Will not agree with you on that Katman..To do nothing, then the power to B gets it's way, and if that happens there will be no more motorcycling in any country.