The "New Zealand Riders Are Voters" campaign

[MAG-NZ Inc]

This campaign has great potential, we are also approaching election year. To gain the maximum benefits from this campaign we are joining forces with other organisations and bike clubs in a "NZRAV" collaboration. It's early days but so far the responses have been very encouraging.

There is also a separate NZRAV collaboration website (http://www.nzrav.org) where information and updates can be passed on and useful resources can be linked from. All of the supporting organisations' logos will be added to the website as they are made available.

[Hitcher]

This is a good idea if it has an angle. A bunch of bikers rolling around the countryside to different venues sounds like a lot of fun, but to make it more meaningful for all parties concerned (particularly the media) it needs a story or a cause.

"Reducing ACC levies"? Been there, done that, own the tee-shirt.

"Bikers are people too?" So what?

"Riders are voters?" Indeed, but I suspect like other members of the voting public they'll always vote for the party their Mums & Dads did. This will only work if political parties see enough votes floating around (party votes rather than electorate votes) to make it worth their while to come up with some sort of sweetening deal that will secure those votes for them.

So what do we want political parties to offer us in return for our party votes?

[Maha]

This is a good idea if it has an angle. A bunch of bikers rolling around the countryside to different venues sounds like a lot of fun, but to make it more meaningful for all parties concerned (particularly the media) it needs a story or a cause.

"Reducing ACC levies"? Been there, done that, own the tee-shirt.

"Bikers are people too?" So what?

"Riders are voters?" Indeed, but I suspect like other members of the voting public they'll always vote for the party their Mums & Dads did. This will only work if political parties see enough votes floating around (party votes rather than electorate votes) to make it worth their while to come up with some sort of sweetening deal that will secure those votes for them.

So what do we want political parties to offer us in return for our party votes?

Gotta cut the apron strings sooner or later Hitcher, nows a good time.
What we want from political parties is, to be listened to/understood and our concerns to be acted on. Its not difficult. If they dont get next time, we will keep at them until they do get it...

[cheshirecat]

This is a good idea if it has an angle. A bunch of bikers rolling around the countryside to different venues sounds like a lot of fun, but to make it more meaningful for all parties concerned (particularly the media) it needs a story or a cause.

"Reducing ACC levies"? Been there, done that, own the tee-shirt.

"Bikers are people too?" So what?

"Riders are voters?" Indeed, but I suspect like other members of the voting public they'll always vote for the party their Mums & Dads did. This will only work if political parties see enough votes floating around (party votes rather than electorate votes) to make it worth their while to come up with some sort of sweetening deal that will secure those votes for them.

So what do we want political parties to offer us in return for our party votes?

Maybe 'motorbikes are part of the solution' bearing in mind it can be easier to work with other interest groups and we can offer solutions - rider training, conjestion reducton etc etc

[Hitcher]

What we want from political parties is, to be listened to/understood and our concerns to be acted on. Its not difficult. If they dont get next time, we will keep at them until they do get it...

All good. Do we have a list of concerns we want to harangue politicians and their parties with? Hopefully it's short and realistic?

[Bald Eagle]

All good. Do we have a list of concerns we want to harangue politicians and their parties with? Hopefully it's short and realistic?

Don't penalise me for my choice of transport.

[Maha]

All good. Do we have a list of concerns we want to harangue politicians and their parties with? Hopefully it's short and realistic?

You have just discribed Mom.....

[StoneY]

As BRONZ Federation Spokesperson (and generally noisy b****rd) it's with great pleasure I can say that the Federation and its member bodies support this campaign, in principle and spirit.

BRONZ congratulates MAG-NZ on a great initiative, and will share advertising and publicity resources to promote this drive, to remind New Zealand Motorcyclists that they are indeed voters

If all Motorcyclists get onboard, and affect even 3 or 4 electorate results, we could see a couple of Triumph owners in cabinet next year.........

[bogan]

As BRONZ Federation Spokesperson (and generally noisy b****rd) it's with great pleasure I can say that the Federation and its member bodies support this campaign, in principle and spirit.

BRONZ congratulates MAG-NZ on a great initiative, and will share advertising and publicity resources to promote this drive, to remind New Zealand Motorcyclists that they are indeed voters

If all Motorcyclists get onboard, and affect even 3 or 4 electorate results, we could see a couple of Triumph owners in cabinet next year.........

great! the more the merrier We haven't had much responses back from the various political parties yet, so unsure how bikers will choose to affect the electorate results...

[James Deuce]

Hang on; what initiative?

What do we want in exchange for our party votes?

Pick ONE thing and make it an issue. One single thing.

For instance: The instigator of a SMIDSY accident gets an automatic 3 month licence suspension and a $600 fine.

Or, and this is a personal favourite: Pedestrians get to execute psychlists who run a red to ride through pedestrians using a light controlled pedestrian crossing. Not motorcycle related, but I am very passionate about it.

A waffly campaign to point out that we're voters is all very good, but it needs a point the size of an ICBM nose cone for anyone to pay attention AND for bikers to stick their vote where their money is.

From my increasingly historic perspective when it comes to getting bikers to stick to principles, bikers turn out to be all mouth and no trousers.

[JimO]

Don't penalise me for my choice of transport.

you ride a honda??

[Bald Eagle]

Hang on; what initiative?

What do we want in exchange for our party votes?

Pick ONE thing and make it an issue. One single thing.

Well here's my single thing. No differential policies for motorcycles.

That means levies, licensing, roading policy, enforcement and any other government activities which currently treat us differently because of the transport we use.

Riders Are voters & Riders are equal citizens.

[Katman]

I can't help but feel that this is another case of "We want, we want, we want....." without any suggestion of us offering up anything in return.

[StoneY]

From my increasingly historic perspective when it comes to getting bikers to stick to principles, bikers turn out to be all mouth and no trousers.

Now now JD, I have worn several pairs of trousers out this last 14 months matey...... and I am sure you refer to other bikers anyway.

I said in several post protest threads, that we are voters and the gubbermint should fear us
IF we all apply the same zealous energy we did to BIKEOI I reckon we will make a difference.
I am very happy to back this, no matter how big or small the impact may be
(HUGE is my aim tho)

*Me personal opinion this post*

[Bald Eagle]

I can't help but feel that this is another case of "We want, we want, we want....." without any suggestion of us offering up anything in return.

Well that seems to work for most successful lobby groups. They are hardly likely to change their thinking if we are being nice to them now are they.