Where do you want to see motorcycling heading?

[T.W.R]

True!

I agree with that and it doesn't make me feel good but I partly blame "Hollywood", just as I believe Hollywood has a big part in the anti American/Western situation in the world today!

That said, there is no need for New Zealand to have the inbred anti motorcycle attitude that it has!

That attitude has been mainly conjured up by the constant bleating of people like Mike Noon and his AA cohorts.

It was people like them that coined the phrases, "temporary New Zealander" etc and projected them at every opportunity!

Our own behaviour confirmed the notion into the public attitude as well!

Yeah but unfortunately it's a form of social conditioning from the powers that be that have emphasised the less than glorious side of motorcycling to the masses and the social degenerates latched on to that side of things and escalated the so-called anti motorcyclist attitude. Hollywood glorified the image of motorcycling/lists to be all one percenters by ways of shock entertainment portayal of badass motorcyclists

[Katman]

However, your style is often abrasive and so if you want us all singing from the same page, then some days, you are your own worst enemy.
But then, I think you already knew that and really don't give a fuck, eh?

I wouldn't have lasted a week on here if I was the sort to sugar-coat everything I said.

[Digitdion]

maybe the problem is the media holds too much weight around here and we should all be able to do/have what we want as long as it doesnt endanger anyone elses right to do/have what they want. Instead of the current system of the media turning every little thing into a big deal and then people feel empowered to whip up a political frenzy? there was a day where the media reported what was happening without the political view, now portions of society feed off it the media catch wind of it and report on that and so it grows. I thought politics were supposed to bring about what the people want in a civil manner not to tie us down...? thats IMO of course I think everything has its place, even politics theyve just forgotten where that place is... to better things for all!

Very intelligent reply. Toatlly agree!

[Digitdion]

The problem is that Motorcycling is not being taken seriously.

We sit around scratching our heads wondering why nothing is being achieved regarding the wire rope barrier and the ACC sagas. Hell, we can't even get the local councils to keep the roads we use in better condition.

Why? Because we make it so easy for the powers that be to view us as mere rabble.

Mate, use your brain. Its bloody simple. everything these days normally comes down to one thing. MONEY! They do not see us as a rabble, they see use as a minority. Theres a huge difference. To achieve your goal of world dominance by Motorcyclist, you only have to do one thing. Bloody simple, get every man, woman, and dog to buy a motorbike. ONLY then will we start to see change. A big snow ball effect.

[davebullet]

Mate, use your brain. Its bloody simple. everything these days normally comes down to one thing. MONEY! They do not see us as a rabble, they see use as a minority. Theres a huge difference. To achieve your goal of world dominance by Motorcyclist, you only have to do one thing. Bloody simple, get every man, woman, and dog to buy a motorbike. ONLY then will we start to see change. A big snow ball effect.

....But only if they generate the revenue which will garner the power. Cyndi was right.. Money changes everything!

[onearmedbandit]

Don't want to see it - but it will effectively be banned in NZ in 20 years

Got anything to back up a statement like that? Or do you just like making wild statements?

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

Where do you want to see a Motorcycling heading?

Down the road bro.

bugger yah beat me to it... lol

Too true. A good objective would be to out politic the AA.

The only way that will happen is if BRONZ goes back to its roots of why it started in the first place, and if bikers started supporting it so that it can become a bikers version on AA or either that we start our own version MANZ (motorcycling Association of New Zealand or something) to do the roll of AA for all motorcyclists

[Digitdion]

Don't want to see it - but it will effectively be banned in NZ in 20 years

Yeah right! go grab a tui bro! Here's another way to think of motorcycling. If you are that way inclined.
motorcycling in like Alcohol and cigarettes. Why on earth would the govt ever ban then? they make so much money from them.Its all about social condition. They let the masses think they tax them to save us. But in reality, its all about the cash. Carbon Tax? of course its there to save the planet. My Arse, another so called valid excuse to increase revenue. Does this all sound familar? whats just started with motorcycling. ACC increases! Hopefully one day the masses will finally wake up to all this propaganda, and get the GOVT back to its core function. Will this ever happen? I doubt it as most of us can not be arsed.
Katy man wants us to unite as one big superforce, thus enabling us to conquer the polititons. He lables us in a certain way, and he is unhappy about our behaviour.
Katy man, its not just motorcyclist's who struggle to band together as a minority, its everyone in all walks of life.
Some may think the Muslim extremist's are on to something. They band together and fight for a cause! But where the hell will that get them? Blowing things up?People hate them even more because of this.
Perhaps all motorcyclist should band together and instead of riding to the Beehive, we ride INTO it. Like a mini 9/11 but with motorcycles.

[AD345]

At least this thread has made me think. Pretty unusual in KB land. A few years ago, shit, maybe even a few months ago I would have considered working to build some sort of national coherent voice for Motorcycling. (as an aside, Katman needs to back off a little from the protestations that some motorcyclists are in it more for the image than the experience. This entire thread is about improving - undefined - the image of motorcyling.)

The issue for me is that I don't care enough about what "they" might do.

The passage of new laws doesn't concern me. I'll evaluate them on a case by case basis and I figure that I'll probably do what I do now - ignore the ones I don't want to adhere to.

The realisation struck me this morning that, technically speaking,
My bike is illegal
My riding apparel is illegal
The way I ride is (sometimes) illegal
The way I park is illegal for Chrissakes

All of these things have been true since I first jumped on a bike just under 30 years ago.

I only care about my ride and my club - nothing else matters. Certainly not Motorcycling

[Katman]

I only care about my ride and my club - nothing else matters. Certainly not Motorcycling

Your ride and your club won't have a lot left to do if the government set about legislating us off the road.

[george formby]

I would like the experience of riding a motorcycle to be made far easier than it is now. Organised, safe " have a go " venue's. I have never met a person who did not love riding a bike after they have had a go.
It would also be in our favour if motorcyclists were at the forefront of road safety education, environmental awareness (traffic pollution) & easing congestion. Accentuating the positives of having more bikes on the road as effective, cheap transport rather than lifestyle toys or image statements.
I am not aware of any marketing campaign in any country by motorcycle manufacturers which specifically sells the low impact value of bikes. Economically I would like to see the manufacturers jump on this band wagon & collectively market this idea, much like the advertising for "green" cars.

[AD345]

Your ride and your club won't have a lot left to do if the government set about legislating us off the road.

You mean make more stuff illegal?

Gosh - whatever will I do?

[Bass]

I wouldn't have lasted a week on here if I was the sort to sugar-coat everything I said.

That's very true, but I wasn't suggesting that you should.
My point was that while shock tactics are sometimes very effective, that using nothing else eventually becomes counterproductive. The consequence is that you alienate potential supporters.
You have been quite open in that you claim to tell it as you see it - call a spade a spade if you will - but not everyone reacts well to being told that it's a fucking shovel.
The ability to read one's audience and adapt the delivery style to what you find, is a really useful skill in getting others to at least give your way a try. The problem is of course, that it smacks of politics and so may not be for you.

However, as I said, there is a huge variety of people that ride bikes and the sledgehammer won't work on all of them.

I am sure you realise that I am trying to equip you with another tool here, but then it's all just my opinion.

[onearmedbandit]

I understand there is an over representation of motorcyclists in road accidents, but other than this (which is concerning, don't get me wrong, but also bear in mind that a 20kmh accident on a bike can seriously harm or kill, whereas in a car it will fuck your bodywork - motorcycles are simply more dangerous than cars, doesn't mean that they are 'bad') what makes you believe the govt will legislate us off the road? Seriously. What indicators do you have? Is this happening overseas already? Will the manufacturers and the support industry not have anything to say? And why us? Are we that bad? What about alcohol issues? Smoking? Don't these have more bearing on the average kiwi?

[Woodman]

You know, I think that a lot of "motorcyclists" are caught up in their own world and sometimes forget that there is another whole world out there.
A lot of us ride bikes, but don't consider themselves to be "motorcyclists", just like rugby players are not neccesarily "rugby heads", they just like playing rugger on saturdays.

My opinion