Protest Ride-Cautionary Note

[AD345]

pretty good points

BUT

they are going to have to be extremely condensed in order to get the message out. There is no way on God's green earth that anyone is going to be able to scream all of that out to a pack of several thousand people in an outdoors situation along a roadside.

The vast majority of people going will not have read this thread. I know that of the 4 bikes from my club going I'm the only one who has even HEARD of Kiwibiker.

I have some suggestions that may help.

1. Bullet point these suggestions ASAP so that KBers who are travelling with non- KBers can give them the highlights in advance.

2. Have multiple people to give out the ride brief at the various staging areas - particularly at the 2 big meeting points on SH 1 and SH2. Much easier to give info to 50 or 100 than 2000.

3. This may cost a bit but some flyers along the lines of those gone out already but with the ride brief on them would be a good idea. They could be given out at the early meeting areas along the various Bikeoi routes and then again on the day itself


No point having a good message if no-one hears it

[sunhuntin]

I did remember the footbrake etc but thanks for a very patient explanation! I was wondering how to do it without dropping the whole shebang. I'm hoping I wasn't the only person who needed it spelled out in black and white, but if I was, thanks twicely.

Cheers - Chasio

dont worry, i couldnt figure it out either. i guess the other option would be to hit the kill switch somehow... same result, without feeling like the bike is gonna lurch forward and to the side.

[chanceyy]

pretty good points

BUT

they are going to have to be extremely condensed in order to get the message out. There is no way on God's green earth that anyone is going to be able to scream all of that out to a pack of several thousand people in an outdoors situation along a roadside.

The vast majority of people going will not have read this thread. I know that of the 4 bikes from my club going I'm the only one who has even HEARD of Kiwibiker.

I have some suggestions that may help.

1. Bullet point these suggestions ASAP so that KBers who are travelling with non- KBers can give them the highlights in advance.

2. Have multiple people to give out the ride brief at the various staging areas - particularly at the 2 big meeting points on SH 1 and SH2. Much easier to give info to 50 or 100 than 2000.

3. This may cost a bit but some flyers along the lines of those gone out already but with the ride brief on them would be a good idea. They could be given out at the early meeting areas along the various Bikeoi routes and then again on the day itself


No point having a good message if no-one hears it

some of the plans re ppl from SH 1 that we have been discussing

as it appears I will be doing riders brief at both Levin & perhaps welly, the message will be the same, also once we have things in order the riders brief will be sent to outside clubs, that I emailed so they can pass the info down the line. This info will be along the same lines that was delivered two weeks ago for the Ulysses rally & was very well recieved, & everyone knew what the plan was & respected it ..We would hope the same will apply for the 17th .. certainly this will be on a much larger scale but if everyone leaves their ego's at home for the day & keeps an eye out for each other & themselves there is no reason why this can not be as successful as two weeks ago

If we get larger numbers turning up to Levin ... then several groups may head south earlier however they will all get the same rider brief .. this will cover expectations, behaviour and the over all plan for the day, covering both the Levin & wellington briefs (for stoney to confirm of course)

There are a number of ppl working rather hard behind the scenes to try & make the day run as smoothly as possible & several different options available to get everyone to the site safely, however its up to each individual to play their part too ..

[CookMySock]

Good words, but I'm puzzled why everyone has to bunch up so much. I think this is asking for trouble, especially for those who have already been riding all day.

Steve

[smoky]

The projected number of bikes expected to converge on Wellington could exceed SIX THOUSAND (6000)

You'll be lucky to see a third of that number - don't think there'll be more than 1000 - 2000 bikes

I think you may be over reacting, But good on ya for putting the wind up everyone and being on the safe sde

....will meet up for the protest action down there, thats is it

Imagine the chaos , variable speeds, dickheads but more importantly imagine the crazy delays at Petrol stations and COFFEE stops , screw that

Yep - sounds like the best way to do it

[Ixion]

The 6000 number is what Police Intelligence reckon (yeah, I know, oxymoron).

personally , I'm inclined to be sceptical also. I'd be stoked if we get 6000 , but I'd be happy with half that.

[GOONR]

The 6000 number is what Police Intelligence reckon (yeah, I know, oxymoron)

Any idea how they came up with that number?

[chanceyy]

Good words, but I'm puzzled why everyone has to bunch up so much. I think this is asking for trouble, especially for those who have already been riding all day.

Steve

who said they had to "bunch up "?? did not happen two weeks ago, definitely will not happen on the 17th

[klingon]

Any idea how they came up with that number?

I betcha they read it on Kiwibiker!

[CookMySock]

who said they had to "bunch up "?? did not happen two weeks ago, definitely will not happen on the 17th

He did. Six abrest was mentioned at one stage I think. Six bikes abrest at open-road speed limit is absurd - even two is. Bikers should ride staggered and follow what the law says and use the two second rule, unless they feel capable, but hundreds or even dozens of bikes packed tightly for hours and hours at motorway speeds is going against the ethic of the whole thing - we are here to demonstrate we are NOT a problem, not the opposite.

Seriously, ONE bike accident in this event is going to look bad, and 6000 riders in tight packs will get you a lot more than one bike crash.

Think about it. Spread out. Three seconds should do it. Theres no rush.

Steve

[Wasp27]

He did. Six abrest was mentioned at one stage I think. Six bikes abrest at open-road speed limit is absurd - even two is. Bikers should ride staggered and follow what the law says and use the two second rule, unless they feel capable, but hundreds or even dozens of bikes packed tightly for hours and hours at motorway speeds is going against the ethic of the whole thing - we are here to demonstrate we are NOT a problem, not the opposite.

Seriously, ONE bike accident in this event is going to look bad, and 6000 riders in tight packs will get you a lot more than one bike crash.

Think about it. Spread out. Three seconds should do it. Theres no rush.

Steve

No he didn't, I mentioned it in the context of what had been originally proposed by merging 2 very large groups. Given the width of the Wellington Urban Motorway.. it was entirely possible that that scenario would have occurred. THIS IS EXACTLY THE POINT I WAS TRYING TO HIGHLIGHT BY MENTIONING IT. In my opinion ( already stated loud and clear) there is no way we should be merging 2 or more large groups together at the Ngauranga interchange or anywhere else for that matter... whether its under the control of the Police or not.
WE SHOULD BE KEEPING THE GROUPS SEPARATE... and the riders of each group together for the entire ride.
Its already been mentioned that there probably wont be 6000 bikes turn up. Thats possible... but believe me... it will not make any difference to you or any other participant whether there is 2000....3000 or 6000 bikes. Your immediate surroundings will appear exactly the same and produce exactly the same effects.
It's also a concern to me that people think that the Police are somehow going to control this proposed merger... IT WONT HAPPEN!!! THERE IS NO WAY THEY CAN SAFELY CONTROL A MERGE INVOLVING THOSE NUMBERS.
Simply putting Lead Police Cars or bikes ahead of a procession will indeed control the maximum speed at which the lead group moves down the Motorway ....but it will be impossible for them to control each individual riders actions.
There's only one certain way to control a merger of this size..... THAT IS.... DO NOT HAVE ONE. There is no sensible reason to have one... period!
Another point worth mentioning is the 2 second or the three second rule for judging your distance. You cannot rely on this method under these pressure cooker situations... because your reference by which you need to time from is constantly changing. You need to pace out the suggested 8 metres and practice it either by yourself or in small groups before the main event. Ride Safe.
Cheers W

[Wasp27]

I betcha they read it on Kiwibiker!

Funny you should mention that..... it's probably very close to the truth

[Wasp27]

He did. Six abrest was mentioned at one stage I think. Six bikes abrest at open-road speed limit is absurd - even two is. Bikers should ride staggered and follow what the law says and use the two second rule, unless they feel capable, but hundreds or even dozens of bikes packed tightly for hours and hours at motorway speeds is going against the ethic of the whole thing - we are here to demonstrate we are NOT a problem, not the opposite.

Seriously, ONE bike accident in this event is going to look bad, and 6000 riders in tight packs will get you a lot more than one bike crash.

Think about it. Spread out. Three seconds should do it. Theres no rush.

Steve

BTW.... thanks for raising this issue DB... it proves that at least your thinking about... and we can't ask for more than that... well done ;-)
cheers W

[Bald Eagle]

The 6000 number is what Police Intelligence reckon (yeah, I know, oxymoron).

personally , I'm inclined to be sceptical also. I'd be stoked if we get 6000 , but I'd be happy with half that.

I too think 6000 maybe a bit optimistic however the following may give some indication
1. The numbers turning out regionally and a reasonable percentage of those who will travel for the 17th
2. There are currently 300+ who have taken the time to register on the KB spreadsheet ( allowing a multiplier on this )
3. Police probably have some info on how many m/bikes are booked on the various ferry sailing into Wgtn on 16/17
4. The power of positive thought.

[Footless]

Just a thought on speed, I understand restricted licence holders have a speed restriction of 70kph ??? as a condition of their licence these days.
If thats the top speed they have been riding at alone, the group will need to be slower with the close proximity of the other riders.
These guys will be scared shitless, even if they dont want to admit to it.
The experienced will need to look after them and look out for them