BIKOI - When?

**Ixion** · 17th October 2009, 13:38

I need some discussion about the timing of the BIKOI, before Wednesday's meeting.

Firstly, the general when.

Firstly, we need to bear in mind that things take time to organise. People need to apply for time off work, accomodation needs be organised, people need to remember where they left the bike and so on.

Secondly, we want to time it for maximum impact on the people that matter, viz the politicians.

In that regard we need to do it while Parliament is still in session . According to their website (Parliament has a web site. How RADICAL) the House sits on Nov 17, 18, 19, 24, 25 and 26 and Dec 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17 and 22. Which my calender says are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Nice life for some. But, awkward for us.

I think that we don't need to do anything UNTIL Novemeber, submissions don't close until the 10th. Until then the only people interested are the ACC, and it's not them we're trying to convince. They've already made their minds up. We want maximum presence around the time the pollies are considering the ACCs formal proposals. I'm guessing a couple of weeks after submissions close?

Thirdly, we need to bear in mind that some folk will be coming from quite a distance. We are not all hard men who can ride 600km in a few hours - there may be small bikes along (I certainly hope so) , even learners. And it's no good blasting down and getting there at 7pm ( or, much worse, crashing on the way! PLEASE, no bins, folks) . So, for some, there'll need to be an overnight stop on the way.

Fourth. We don't want to piss of the general public . Pollies, yes. Sheeple, yes. ACC definately. But not Joe Citizen, that keen and incisive thinker. We want him on our side, which is hard to manage if he's three hours late home or to work, cos a bunch of bikers locked up the motorway (Do they have motorways in Wellington ? Just askin').

From the POV of people being able to get there, I'd suggest

A mass meeting somewhere in Welly on Sunday middayish. Almost everybody should be able to make that. Real far flung types can leave Saturday, overnight somewhere short of Welly and roll in Sunday morning. Closer types , obviously hit the road early Sunday.

That can make it no time off work for most if that's important. At worst, one day.

Then those that can stay in Welly Sunday night and Monday morning mount a formal protest to deliver the petition (we need to have one to legitimise being in Parliament grounds- every subject may petition the Crown)

That works, sort of. It has logistic advantages re time off work. And holding the mass protest meeting on Sunday, shouldn't cause any major congestion to annoy people that we don't want annoyed.

But based on the above , Monday may not be a good day for it?

Moving it forward a day to Monday/Tuesday is OK for travel, people can travel down on Sunday, but it means more time off work ? And dumping dozens (OK, I'm cynical - I don't believe many wil stay the distance) into Wellington traffic on Monday may not be a good look?

And how does all of this work for Souf Islanders?

Give me some thoughts please folks. Then I'll put up a poll to choose between the popular options. It would probably help if you indicate what area you are coming from

**davereid** · 17th October 2009, 13:44

Burt Monroe Rally is end of November.. Lots of Norf Islanders may be coming back from there about 1-2 Dec

**Skyryder** · 17th October 2009, 13:47

Originally Posted by Ixion

I need some discussion about the timing of the BIKOI, before Wednesday's meeting.

Firstly, the general when.

Firstly, we need to bear in mind that things take time to organise. People need to apply for time off work, accomodation needs be organised, people need to remember where they left the bike and so on.

Secondly, we want to time it for maximum impact on the people that matter, viz the politicians.

In that regard we need to do it while Parliament is still in session . According to their website (Parliament has a web site. How RADICAL) the House sits on Nov 17, 18, 19, 24, 25 and 26 and Dec 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17 and 22. Which my calender says are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Nice life for some. But, awkward for us.

I think that we don't need to do anything UNTIL Novemeber, submissions don't close until the 10th. Until then the only people interested are the ACC, and it's not them we're trying to convince. They've already made their minds up. We want maximum presence around the time the pollies are considering the ACCs formal proposals. I'm guessing a couple of weeks after submissions close?

Thirdly, we need to bear in mind that some folk will be coming from quite a distance. We are not all hard men who can ride 600km in a few hours - there may be small bikes along (I certainly hope so) , even learners. And it's no good blasting down and getting there at 7pm ( or, much worse, crashing on the way! PLEASE, no bins, folks) . So, for some, there'll need to be an overnight stop on the way.

Fourth. We don't want to piss of the general public . Pollies, yes. Sheeple, yes. ACC definately. But not Joe Citizen, that keen and incisive thinker. We want him on our side, which is hard to manage if he's three hours late home or to work, cos a bunch of bikers locked up the motorway (Do they have motorways in Wellington ? Just askin').

From the POV of people being able to get there, I'd suggest

A mass meeting somewhere in Welly on Sunday middayish. Almost everybody should be able to make that. Real far flung types can leave Saturday, overnight somewhere short of Welly and roll in Sunday morning. Closer types , obviously hit the road early Sunday.

That can make it no time off work for most if that's important. At worst, one day.

Then those that can stay in Welly Sunday night and Monday morning mount a formal protest to deliver the petition (we need to have one to legitimise being in Parliament grounds- every subject may petition the Crown)

That works, sort of. It has logistic advantages re time off work. And holding the mass protest meeting on Sunday, shouldn't cause any major congestion to annoy people that we don't want annoyed.

But based on the above , Monday may not be a good day for it?

Moving it forward a day to Monday/Tuesday is OK for travel, people can travel down on Sunday, but it means more time off work ? And dumping dozens (OK, I'm cynical - I don't believe many wil stay the distance) into Wellington traffic on Monday may not be a good look?

And how does all of this work for Souf Islanders?

Give me some thoughts please folks. Then I'll put up a poll to choose between the popular options. It would probably help if you indicate what area you are coming from

Depends on the number of South island bikes that will be attending. The biggest problem is getting across the straight and the time it will take to get back home; distance etc. But the other option and this has been mentioned in another thread is a 'gathering' in Smith's electorate of Nelson to coincide with the parliment protest. If there was a long weekend that would be different but the Nelson ride could be accomplished in a normal weekend. I know Smith will not be there but it is the unity of bikers that will be noticed.

Just a thought.

Skyrder

**Maha** · 17th October 2009, 13:50

So its looking like, make your own way day there on the elected day? no Pied Piper senario? smaller groups possibly? which is good idea.
You may have to just choose a day Ixion, putting a poll up wont really achieve anything really accept 'oh fuck I cant go on that day'.
If a date is set now, then everyone who wishes to attend can start arranging thier life around it now, may get too hard to sort things 10 days out.

**Ixion** · 17th October 2009, 13:57

Originally Posted by Maha

So its looking like, make your own way day there on the elected day? no Pied Piper senario? smaller groups possibly? which is good idea.
You may have to just choose a day Ixion, putting a poll up wont really achieve anything really accept 'oh fuck I cant go on that day'.
If a date is set now, then everyone who wishes to attend can start arranging thier life around it now, may get too hard to sort things 10 days out.

My idea is the regional coordinators (once we get them) can lead a group from their area. It would be desireable to ahve some sort of group arrangement, for the larger areas. If nothing else, this may be a lot longer trip than some have done, they may feel better for support around them. But some folk will prefer to make their own way , especially if they can arrange accomodation along the way.

Others may link into a regional group along the way.

Best not to have the groups too large. Large groups need more sheparding. And smaller groups make it hard for the cops in case they are instructed to stop us.

**Maha** · 17th October 2009, 14:04

Originally Posted by Ixion

My idea is the regional coordinators (once we get them) can lead a group from their area. It would be desireable to ahve some sort of group arrangement, for the larger areas. If nothing else, this may be a lot longer trip than some have done, they may feel better for support around them. But some folk will prefer to make their own way , especially if they can arrange accomodation along the way.

Others may link into a regional group along the way.

Best not to have the groups too large. Large groups need more sheparding. And smaller groups make it hard for the cops in case they are instructed to stop us.

Can I suggest they each start a seperate regional thread?
I did that with my Westpac Rides last year and it worked out well.

**GOONR** · 17th October 2009, 14:11

Originally Posted by Maha

Can I suggest they each start a seperate regional thread?
I did that with my Westpac Rides last year and it work out well.

I like this idea, I doubt that I would be able to get to welly but really want to add my support, a local thread will mean I won't miss anything relevant to my area.

**Jantar** · 17th October 2009, 14:24

The ferry timetable is:

InterIslander
Depart Picton Arrive Wellington
6:25am 9:35am
10:05am 1:15pm
1:10pm 4:20pm
2:25pm 5:35pm
6:05pm 9:15pm
10:25pm 1:35am

Bluebridge
Departs Picton * 2.00am except Sunday Arrives Wellington 5.20am
Departs Picton 8.00am except Saturday Arrives Wellington 11.20am
Departs Picton 2.00pm Arrives Wellington 5.20pm
Departs Picton 7.00pm Arrives Wellington 10.20pm

For Central Otago riders that would take 2 days to get to Wellington, 1 day there, and 2 days to return, so the actual day of the week won't make much difference. I would suggest that whatever day is decided, CO riders would go to Christchurch on day 1, Picton the next morning and catch the 2:00pm or 2:25pm crossing to Wellington.

While I like the idea of the group of motorcyclist getting larger all the way, I can see merit in lots of smaller groups.

**Mully** · 17th October 2009, 14:29

I can't really make it to Wellington this year (can't take any leave cos of the wedding in December)...

I'm happy to be part of a group that goes from say Maha's place to John Key's office (I'd like to detour past his house too - 100 bikers cruising gently through Parnell would be awesome)

If we were going to have N00bs riding from, say, Hamilton, I'm happy to ride there and escort them back up to Key's office.

Pick a weekend - I'll make the time.

**cs363** · 17th October 2009, 14:31

I'm in for a protest ride in Wellington whatever the day.

November 5th appeals as a day for an assault on parliament....

**Fatt Max** · 17th October 2009, 14:33

Dont know if this would have legs but of there are people who cant make it to Welly, there could always be a co-ordinated protest outside the central ACC offices around the country.....

Appreciate it is the politicians we are getting into but profile is profile....??

The focus is for as many of us to get to welly as possible but a united fornt nationally would not go unnoticed.

Just a thought