Northern Gateway Toll Road.

**Grant81** · 13th May 2010, 21:27

Just another F----- tax on us,Yes, Definitely pay by phone after using toll rd, My pack rack hangs over my plate, bugger other wise I'm riding the scenic route tried to make a submission against tolling but the paperwork and lodging was too difficult which I guess they wanted it that way.
PS, all the road tax's Ive paid in my life and they finally build a road that is of real use to me and they add a special toll tax
Sorry folks, just had to get it off my chest.

Grant / Warkworth

**Grant81** · 14th May 2010, 09:08

Great idea, pay by phone, better still start phoneing now to make inquiries about these future tax's as I have
Its going to be FAR more cost effective for us to ride the senic route but not quite so time efficent adding 8-10 minutes I guess.

**coppepa** · 14th May 2010, 21:15

Agree we should do some thing but why not more of a protest after the $2 charge starts. A hundred or so bikers after going through the tunnel towards Puhoi would then have to turn right into the pay booths. We would have to take helmets, gloves off to open leathers to try and find $2 pay and then put our kit back on again. Guess to comply with the law may cause a little congestion.

**Maha** · 14th May 2010, 21:30

Originally Posted by coppepa

Agree we should do some thing but why not more of a protest after the $2 charge starts. A hundred or so bikers after going through the tunnel towards Puhoi would then have to turn right into the pay booths. We would have to take helmets, gloves off to open leathers to try and find $2 pay and then put our kit back on again. Guess to comply with the law may cause a little congestion.

Nows theres a thinking Man!
All the bitching and carry on so far?
One brilliant idea from a 6 post member.
Wonderful stuff coppepa!

**Pixie** · 27th May 2010, 09:16

Originally Posted by Ixion

There's actually a very good reason why bikes shouldn't pay

Road tolls are not really to pay for the road (work out how long it would take at $2 minus collection costs).

They are actually a part of a recognised government strategy of road pricing, which in turn is part of a strategy of Travel Demand Management. (Google it)

This, in effect, says that we can't afford enough roads. So, the roads get congested . So, if we make using roads more expensive, then the demand will be reduced. Thus solving the congestion problem without the cost of new roads.

But- bikes don't contribute bugger all to the congestion. So why should we pay what is really a congestion tax, designed to mitigate the congestion we don't cause? Congestion is caused by cars and trucks. So cars and trucks should pay for it.

So cause some congestion.
You will have paid your $2 to assuage any guilt you may feel,so get 20 bikes together and ride up the tollway at 20kmh a few times.
It's your right as a paying customer of the Northern Gateway.

**Bald Eagle** · 27th May 2010, 09:21

Heres an example of their thinking from the Greater Wellington Council

TDM measures also seek to modify travel behaviour and mode choice decisions so as to reduce the negative impacts of car use. Measures include road network management tools, land use policies, behaviour change tools, economic pricing measures and new technology.

They seem to have missed the point that reducing negative impacts of car use is easily achieved by encouraging motorbike use.

I just searched the Wellington Regional Travel Demand Management Plan and the word Motorcycle does not appear in it anywhere.Seems we don't exist.

**Pixie** · 27th May 2010, 09:21

Originally Posted by chasio

I must have missed that memo. If that is done such that there is no reasonable alternative, I believe it won't only be bikers that will be up for some proper protest.

Welcome friend from another dimension.
What is life like in your alternate NZ where the populace have spines?

**Ixion** · 27th May 2010, 13:09

Originally Posted by Pixie

So cause some congestion.
You will have paid your $2 to assuage any guilt you may feel,so get 20 bikes together and ride up the tollway at 20kmh a few times.
It's your right as a paying customer of the Northern Gateway.

No-one is interested.