Who is in the AA ?

[Voltaire]

Thats a no then.
I'm only in it for the Missus...and the Work Van....but I thought roadside recovery would be useful...me being a Ducati owner and all

From the sounds of it on the news it doesn't sound like the gumment will get the support for the big increase only the less bif increase.

[ready4whatever]

I don't think I need to be a member of Alcoholics Anonymous, some other people may beg to differ though.

damn you bet me to it. bling served

[candor]

AAs Safer Journeys submission - what are airbag jackets?

3.3 Improving the safety of motorcyclists
AA Recommended Policy Responses:
1. We support improving rider training and licensing and incentivising riders to undertake advanced riding courses.
2. We support a specific programme for treating motorcycle blackspots.
3. We support mandatory ABS for sport or touring ‘bikes.
4. We support promoting high visibility and protective clothing, including the uptake of ‘air bag’ jackets.
5. We support investigating development of a differential ACC levy system that recognises risk due to type of ‘bike or rider profile.
6. We would support moped riders obtaining a motorcycle licence but are unconvinced of the merits of requiring mopeds to undergo a Warrant of Fitness.

Discussion

Improve rider training and licensing
The NZAA wholly supports improving rider training skills, not only whilst obtaining a motorcycle licence, but also refresher courses for experienced riders. We commend initiatives offered by some motorcycle groups, like Ulysses, and retailers, to offer instructional courses, and believe these should be incentivised further. Options are to seek the insurance industry’s
support to lower premiums for customers who have undergone advanced training, and likewise for ACC levies to recognise rider skill levels and risk. Advanced riding courses should also be mandatory for riders issued with speed infringements or other riding offences, with the incentive that the fine be waived if the course is completed.
Similarly, we believe there is some merit in requiring moped riders to obtain a Class 6 motorcycle licence rather than the Class 1 default as present, which currently is one of the low-cost attractions of owning a moped. We believe there are particular handling and observation skills that can only be learnt from motorcycle courses, and not from inside a car.
The NZAA also supports revising the Driver Licensing Rule to replace the 250cc engine restriction for Learner riders with a power-to-weight ratio limit.
Require all new large motorbikes to have ABS by 2015
As with ESC for light vehicles, the AA would support making ABS mandatory for certain new motorbikes, although instead of the proposed 600cc threshold, perhaps this requirement could be based on a minimum power-to-weight ratio, or alternatively all sports or touring ‘bikes.

Introduce a differential levy system based on engine size

The current ACC levy only differentiates between mopeds and motorbikes, and in the case of the latter, the motorcyclists ACC levy is subsidised by light passenger vehicles to the tune of about $1200 a year, and does not reflect the true cost of motorcycle crashes on the health system. A major risk group appears to be European men over the age of 40, particularly those on powerful machines, and so a differential ACC regime recognising such ‘bikes and/or rider profile would be supported, although may not act as much of a deterrent for this group who have no shortage of cash for their new-found hobby. But a higher ACC levy closer to the actual cost sends an important signal to motorcyclists about the risk they face riding. This may cause pause for thought for new or returning riders.
However, instead of being based on engine size, a power-to-weight ratio may be a better tool to distinguish from older ‘bikes with large engines but relatively modest power output and which are not over-represented in motorcycle accidents.
In support of differential ACC levies there should be advertising campaigns illustrating the risk and motorcyclists contribution to the road toll, who are in denial of their level of fault.
According to the Crash Analysis System, there were 34 fatal crashes in 2008 involving a motorcycle at fault, and only 9 where they were innocent victims. In 21 of the 34 at fault crashes it was a single vehicle crash.

[5150]

I've been to an AA meeting once.....

ooops, wrong forum . duuh!!!

[kave]

According to the Crash Analysis System, there were 34 fatal crashes in 2008 involving a motorcycle at fault, and only 9 where they were innocent victims. In 21 of the 34 at fault crashes it was a single vehicle crash.

Interesting, so of the 13 motorcycle fatalities that were not single vehicle crashes the motorcyclists were only at fault in four of them. Thats less than a third.

[EgliHonda]

Actually just reminded me, only time in recent years we had reason to call on AA breakdown service was when driving a freshly imported 50's Dodge to an upholsterers. We had called LTSA ahead to get clearance for this as it was not yet warranted or rego'ed, and they were fine as it was being moved to have seat repaired for warrant. We ran out of fuel due to sticking fuel gauge in the wops somewhere, and dutifully called AA for an emergency top-up. (3 full paying members in the vehicle).
Breakdown crew arrived and promptly said as it didn't have NZ plates they wouldn't help. Any protesting that we had clearance from the authorities to be on the road was ignored, so similar to above stories we arranged our own rescue and carried on, wondering what we were actually paying for...

Will seriously re-think my continuing membership here...

[Pampera]

I've been to an AA meeting once.....

ooops, wrong forum . duuh!!!

Hey its meant to be alcoholics ANONYMOUS!

M

[Mekk]

When I renewed last year I made SURE the mebership covered my Bikes at roadside as well

They do bikes at the level of:

Jumpstarts (rider to expose battery)
Towing/recovery
Out of Fuel top up once a year(10 free bucks of gas)
Fuses

I have that in writing somewhere too.....ill check my files at home

Correct!

My only experience of AA motorcycle recovery was when another ride in our group broke down in Featherston. He called AA and we left him to be recovered. After we had completed our ride (and lunch) we came back through Featherston to find him still by the side of the road some 4 hours later. Trucks had been sent and were unable to deal with his bike and he was waiting for his wife to collect a trailer and drive from Wellington to recover him. That was the point when I realised being without the AA recovery service would be no different from having it - either way it was up to my resources to recover the bike.

I think there is a key issue missing from that story. It sounds like a miscommunication to me.

Advice to e-mail sounds good - thanks - but the point of the "protest" is not necessarily that it changes anything at AA. The individual withdrawing their business are no longer funding a lobbying organisation opposed to their interests. This was important for me and I am sure is important for some others.
Regards,

Michael

From my perspective, the main problem is that the AA doesn't receive enough fuss from bikers to take our issues more seriously.

[Fluffy Cat]

Same as above will terminate insurance at next renewal. Had no idea they were so anti bike.

[nrc]

Same as above will terminate insurance at next renewal. Had no idea they were so anti bike.

Totally agree, my annual AA bill just arrived in the mail the other day. Just going to rip it up this time and look elsewhere. I've heard much better user stories about State anyway.

NRC.

[Mom]

So after all that and all this ACC shit I don't think I'll be renewing my pointless membership when it rolls around and I will be telling them why and that they can kiss my arse.

Cancel it now and ask for a refund of your premium.

AA have been pushing for this behind the scenes.

They are sereiously ideologically opposed to bikes, want them off the roads.

I regard them as bigger bastards than ACC, ACC at least have a valid reason for wanting to shaft us.

Plus one from me on that sentiment. Having had the "pleasure" of talking at length with Mr Noon about motorcycle safety on the roads, I came away with a very bad taste in my mouth, and was left with the totally overwhelming knowledge that AA is anti bike

Same as above will terminate insurance at next renewal. Had no idea they were so anti bike.

Terminate it now, get a refund, there are cheaper insurers out there anyway

Totally agree, my annual AA bill just arrived in the mail the other day. Just going to rip it up this time and look elsewhere. I've heard much better user stories about State anyway.

NRC.

Write to them and tell them why!

[Ender EnZed]

I'm a member. They took me and my bike home on a truck when it stopped and wouldn't start. I only had to push it about 50m to get to the free tow side of the bridge.

[Mekk]

The only way the AA will support motorcyclists is if they get off their arses, make complaints and submit feedback.

Individual stories where people are astray of one of the Terms & Conditions don't get recognised but hundreds of them do.

I agree, the AA is very anti-bike, or rather doesn't acknowledge bikers as much as it should but they also get sweet fuck all complaints from them. Cancelling in a big hissy fit doesn't actually register because the operators just think they're one off crazies that don't read the rules of the Membership.

Submit feedback en masse and you'll get somewhere.

[Pampera]

I think there is a key issue missing from that story. It sounds like a miscommunication to me.

.

There sure was. He rung the AA and explained the situation, which was straightforward and a request for the simple recovery service he had been paying a subscription for. Two vehicles arrived over the four hours, neither of which could handle his bike. It was the AA and their contractors that failed to communicate and deliver the service.

Michael

[Paul in NZ]

I've had professional and private dealings with them...

We are no longer members.