Time for a NZ Motorcycle Alliance?

[Conquiztador]

I am far from a political animal. If I am honest I more often than not could not give a shit who is running the country, as the way I see it is "same shit different package".

And initially I took the same view re this ACC issue. I was reasoning: "Get's rid of the ones who are not dedicated", and I was gonna ride anyhow. Paid up Rego or not. Why change a life attitude this late?

But then the ACC adverts got me peed off. They were using my money to place adverts against me. How dare they!

So I got involved.

Now the AA stance has me gobsmacked! They do very little for bikers, and now they suddenly have an opinion???

As a biker I have noticed BRONZ, Ulysses and the bike arm of the NZ Motor Trade Assosiation (I think it was?) taking a stance in the "war" against the proposed unjustified ACC levies.

But where is MNZ in this? Does BEARS have an opinion? What about tyre shops, as I assume they belong to some type of association. And individual MCC's. Even the 1%'s. Surely they have an opinion? (OK, so many of the individuals from these clubs/organisations are involved, but if the club/organisation had an official standpoint it would weigh so much more!)

I can understand the lack of interest for individuals to join up with another club/organisation than the one they belong to. But if the local MotoX club was affiliated to a "NZ Motorcycle Alliance", then it would be straightforward. And suddenly we would have a force to recon with... (And a database of clubs/organisations would be available for the Alliance to send info like in this ACC issue).

[White trash]

Quite frankly, this should be a job for MNZ, it's supposed to represent all New Zealand motorcyclists. The problem is, MNZ are that caught up in their own political shit internally, they probably don't realize there's an ACC Levy hike on the way.

[Mully]

I am far from a political animal.

Really? You should be. I've found you an "artist's impression"

I agree with White Trash - MNZ should be leading the charge.

That being said, BRONZ seem to be doing a stellar job.

[Voltaire]

I'm guessing that motorcycle racers have private insurance to cover their risky activities.....

When I lived in Ireland, we had to stump up 5 euros if the kids went of field trips.... to cover the additional risk over and above the usual.

[Conquiztador]

Really? You should be. I've found you an "artist's impression"

I agree with White Trash - MNZ should be leading the charge.

That being said, BRONZ seem to be doing a stellar job.

AHHH! You got my better side too!

Yes, BRONZ is working hard here and doing well. But their membership is individuals. I think an Alliance where a club/organisation belongs to, and as you become member of that club you automatically are a member of the Alliance, would be the way to go.

Imagine a statement like: "NZMA, with a combined membership of 347 New Zealand motorcycle associations and clubs representing 350,000 individual members, fully oppose the proposed ACC levies".

[Sidewinder]

I'm guessing that motorcycle racers have private insurance to cover their risky activities.....

When I lived in Ireland, we had to stump up 5 euros if the kids went of field trips.... to cover the additional risk over and above the usual.

not in nz its corved by acc

[Pixie]

Join The Provos

Provisional MAG

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

I have been wanting to start the MANZ. Motorcycle Association New Zealand. Biker version of AA and be in association with all the other Associations and clubs etc... http://www.southernrider.co.nz/forum...le.php?id=1295

Bikers against ACC Levies also want to actually start a political party MPP
http://www.bikersagainstacc.org.nz/docs/mpp.pdf

[flyingcrocodile46]

IMO we would be better off being more consistently supportive of the existing motorcycle associations.

If they aren't everything we want now, it's simply because WE haven't bothered to join them, participate in monthly meetings and AGM's and actively promote all the good ideas that we seem to have when the going is tougher (like now).

Have a look at what's involved in setting up a club/association. It's a lot of work and you will likely find that by the time it's done, the current crisis will be over.

Use the tools we have, and put a bit more effort into maintaining them to keep them sharp.

[Genestho]

Alliance is the only way, said that more than once.

MNZ was quoted in the Herald? I think? When the announcments were first made, against the rises.
MNZ were one one of the first to comment.

And Submission details

[Conquiztador]

Alliance is the only way, said that more than once.

MNZ, Pav was quoted in the Herald? I think? When the announcments were first made, against the rises.
MNZ were one one of the first to comment.

I have found the following on MNZ website. The entry is dated 4 December. Not been able to find anything older than that.

Here:

"SUBMISSION TO ACC


DECEMBER 4, 2009: The Board of Motorcycle New Zealand (MNZ) recognises that a large number of their members own road registered motorcycles and that the proposed changes to the ACC levies will have a major effect on their activities.



Motorcycling New Zealand has made a submission to ACC on the proposed classification and levy changes for road registered motorcycles. We believe that the methodology used in the formation of the proposed changes fails to recognise a number of significant facts and anecdotal evidence supports this.



Motorcycling New Zealand has advised that it would welcome the opportunity to be involved with ACC and other stakeholders in all groups that are involved in:



1) The formation of an appropriate funding formula that recognises both the requirements of ACC and the interests of motorcyclists.



2) Improving the quality of the vehicle fleet.



3) Improving rider abilities, competency and safety.



4) Improving the roading network to reduce ‘black spot’ injuries and deaths"


But we are still talking about organisations/clubs working alone apart from some contact. I am talking about something much bigger. Something that encompasses (sp?) ALL bike riders in NZ.

There is endless opportunities: set up insurance, have buying power, start a road rescue, run training, lobby government, be asked re initiatives, be not4profit and able to get funding, etc.

The time has come, a sleeping giant has been awakened...

[Conquiztador]

IMO we would be better off being more consistently supportive of the existing motorcycle associations.

If they aren't everything we want now, it's simply because WE haven't bothered to join them, participate in monthly meetings and AGM's and actively promote all the good ideas that we seem to have when the going is tougher (like now).

Have a look at what's involved in setting up a club/association. It's a lot of work and you will likely find that by the time it's done, the current crisis will be over.

Use the tools we have, and put a bit more effort into maintaining them to keep them sharp.

I hear you. But you are missing the point a fraction. What I am proposing is not a organisation made up of individuals. It is an Alliance of excisting clubs/organisations and would not have to fight to get members. It would be a "umbrella" organisation that would lobby and work on behalf of the organisations/clubs that are part of alliance. The alliance in it self would have no opinion re any of the issues going on and not make decisions on behalf of the members. It would be there to forward their view with all that having a big voice represents.

And there is not that much in to starting a organisation. I have done that more than once. Constitution, members, register and you are away. (OK, that is simplyfied, but the rest is just details).

[Genestho]

I wandered off and found same thing lol.

I'm not sure what an umbrella would further acheive apart from info sharing?
I thought you meant alliance as in alignment.

MNZ can obviously lobby as can BRONZ, for the sake of lobbying - groups are better seperated and are more efficient saying the same thing, in different words - than one single voice. A layering affect.
An umbrella still ends up as one entity.

[Conquiztador]

I wandered off and found same thing lol.

I'm not sure what an umbrella would further acheive apart from info sharing?
I thought you meant alliance as in alignment.

MNZ can obviously lobby as can BRONZ, for the sake of lobbying - groups are better seperated and are more efficient saying the same thing, in different words - than one single voice. A layering affect.
An umbrella still ends up as one entity.

Numbers. It is all about numbers. BRONZ has members. So has Ulysses. And every club in the country. But not all have voiced their opinion. Many because they are busy doing what they do (MotoX, trials, RR, social rides, etc.) I am not saying that they would give away anything they stand for or do currently. Each and everyone would still have the right to their own voice.

Think about the petition. A umbrella organisation could forward this to each of the clubs/organisations in NZ that would get their individual members to sign, then it would be returned to the umbrella org. and taken in.

Bikers are solitary (sp?) and the hearding cats is a fair view. But if something like this was in place, then it would be too big to ignore.

[Genestho]

Numbers. It is all about numbers. BRONZ has members. So has Ulysses. And every club in the country. But not all have voiced their opinion. Many because they are busy doing what they do (MotoX, trials, RR, social rides, etc.) I am not saying that they would give away anything they stand for or do currently. Each and everyone would still have the right to their own voice.

Think about the petition. A umbrella organisation could forward this to each of the clubs/organisations in NZ that would get their individual members to sign, then it would be returned to the umbrella org. and taken in.

Bikers are solitary (sp?) and the hearding cats is a fair view. But if something like this was in place, then it would be too big to ignore.

Not knocking the idea - but hmmm I don't think the work, costs and people needed - involved to setup an umbrella is necesary, when essentially it comes down to info sharing amongst groups.

The umbrella would still be doing the same jobs as say for example BRONZ (sorry to speak on behalf of) who I imagine comb media, do research, analyse data, meet with interested parties etc, all of this to stay ahead of the game and up to date (and if the umbrella didn't do this work, then it would be less informed than the groups it represents)

Also the nice thing about group alignment is that many groups have eyes on many balls.
Perhaps a centralised data sharing system, but even then there are still places setup with information?