Sunday 22nd November - Taranaki

**young1** · 23rd November 2009, 06:57

Thanks for organising, it is important to keep the message in front of people.

mike

**Naki Rat** · 23rd November 2009, 08:25

Coverage http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/3086814/Small-turnout-for-biker-protest"]here Verbatim quote

Originally Posted by Stuff

Proposed changes to ACC's vehicle levies will only add to New Plymouth's congestion problems, motorcyclists warn.

About 20 bikers met at the Valley Mega Centre in Waiwhakaiho yesterday, hoping to get their point across by using one car park each.

The meeting put the squeeze on pre-Christmas shoppers looking for the best park, but organisers Tony Daamen and Mel Fox said the public would have to get used to more competition if the proposed changes went ahead.

"Bike registrations could go up by almost $500," Mr Fox said.

"People will leave their bikes at home and take the car to work and that could add kilometres to banked up traffic.

"Imagine this number of extra cars in the CBD and you've got a congestion problem."

The Waiwhakaiho bottleneck was an obvious congestion hotspot but there were no plans to stage a protest there, Mr Daamen said.

"The point [of this] is not to piss off the public because the levy is going to go up for cars, too," he said. "Bikers are the only ones who've realised they're about to be shafted.

"We just want people to be aware of how these changes could have an impact on everyone."

Other changes to ACC were being masked by the motorcycle levy issue, Mr Fox said.

"The Government is not promoting them like the bike issue but there are changes which will affect everyone," he said.

"There could be a three cents a litre increase in petrol taxes and $400 a year more taken from wages.

"Bikers are an easy target but who's next?"

Announcing the proposed changes last month, ACC Minister Nick Smith said motorcycle riders were 16 times more likely to be involved in a crash than other road users and the cost of motorcycle injuries was four times higher than other motor vehicle injuries.

However, Mr Fox said the majority of motorcyclists were very safety conscious and spent hundreds of dollars on protective clothing and helmets.

"We don't go out there to make a mess on the roads, we go out there to enjoy ourselves," he said.

"Most of us are too old to bounce now," Mr Daamen added.

**tommygun** · 23rd November 2009, 12:56

Good stuff NR, did you see the bit next to it in the paper? A write on a m/bike accident of all thiings.

**naphazoline** · 26th November 2009, 05:32

Originally Posted by Naki Rat

Plenty of stategy planning discussed also with the BRONZ Naki toy run looking like being the next massed event that we can use to publicise our cause. Could somebody from BRONZ post a calender event on KB to advise all of this event?

Any confirmed dates on the toy run yet?

Got a few people asking about it lately.

Cheers.

**twistemotion** · 26th November 2009, 17:27

Originally Posted by naphazoline

Any confirmed dates on the toy run yet?

Got a few people asking about it lately.

Cheers.

All I can find is "Round the Mountain Toy Run - Sat 5 December" on http://www.opunakenz.co.nz/. No other details - great advertising.

**taff1954** · 26th November 2009, 17:53

Parking protest, the Valley Mega Centre, NP

Thanks to Naphazoline for the photos

**naphazoline** · 26th November 2009, 20:36

Originally Posted by twistemotion

All I can find is "Round the Mountain Toy Run - Sat 5 December" on http://www.opunakenz.co.nz/. No other details - great advertising.

Thanks mate.I can't find anything more either.

Thanks Taff' for helping me with those.

**admenk** · 27th November 2009, 13:48

Originally Posted by naphazoline

Any confirmed dates on the toy run yet?

Got a few people asking about it lately.

Cheers.

There have been a couple of adverts in either the Daily News or the Midweek. Will have a look when I get home and post up the details tonight.....of course, it's bound to rain on the day!

**admenk** · 27th November 2009, 18:14

Originally Posted by admenk

There have been a couple of adverts in either the Daily News or the Midweek. Will have a look when I get home and post up the details tonight.....of course, it's bound to rain on the day!

I'm home, according to the advert, it's on December 5th. Meet at Ngamotu Beach, NP, at 10am. Entry fee is a new toy.

Hopefully see you all there.

**naphazoline** · 27th November 2009, 18:21

Originally Posted by admenk

I'm home, according to the advert, it's on December 5th. Meet at Ngamotu Beach, NP, at 10am. Entry fee is a new toy.

Hopefully see you all there.

Thanks mate.

I'll put the word out to everyone i know.

**taff1954** · 27th November 2009, 18:40

I heard someone say it's the 'other' way round this year - down on SH 45, back on SH 3. Hopefully I'll be there, with the wife riding pillion. Here's hoping for good weather.

And no cross winds at Opunake. Yea right.