MSL Council to be lead by Gareth Morgan

[Usarka]

I hope the new guy is able to change that, but I wouldn't bet on it.

Nah he's hoping to get AA onside with bikes (which means they aren't currently - as he said so himself) at the same time as being on the safety council. If he'd done the former first then I'd have greater degree of hope.

I don't know the guy and could be well off base, but one has to ask: if has to make a call on his personal opinion or the mandate of the AA which way will he go? Personally I'd put money on the direction of his employer.

Politics in action.

[Brian d marge]

Generalise much?

I've also spoken to them in the context of the Bikoi and the discussions were unusable in a journalistic sense because they were inflammatory in the extreme and a certain chap with the initials MN thought it was high time motorcycles were banned.

Money in the usual place and he will be whacked

Sthefano O'Brien

[riffer]

To find out the AA's stance on motorcycle safety, go to their website and search for "motorcycle safety".

I think you'll find that their view more closely parallels James Deuce's story than p.dath's.

I am somewhat comforted by StoneY's thoughts on the man, combined with the knowledge that he is but one voice on the Council and, if he turns out to be a plant, and therefore a poisonous snake in the midst, he has a number of seriously strong motorcycling advocates to sway to get anything passed.

[Berries]

I am sure that if there were a levy for car drivers the AA would welcome input on how to spend it from the riding community. Not.

[blackdog]

To find out the AA's stance on motorcycle safety, go to their website and search for "motorcycle safety".

I think you'll find that their view more closely parallels James Deuce's story than p.dath's.

I am somewhat comforted by StoneY's thoughts on the man, combined with the knowledge that he is but one voice on the Council and, if he turns out to be a plant, and therefore a poisonous snake in the midst, he has a number of seriously strong motorcycling advocates to sway to get anything passed.

Apparently he is a 'lifelong' motorcyclist.

Can't imagine he'd want to give that up then.

[p.dath]

I've also spoken to them in the context of the Bikoi and the discussions were unusable in a journalistic sense because they were inflammatory in the extreme and a certain chap with the initials MN thought it was high time motorcycles were banned.

My experiences with the chap with the initials MN have been so very different. Perhaps it was because I wasn't talking to him in a journalistic sense?

The AA have consistently let bikers down both in a real sense (not responding to call outs for AA members having issues with bikes) and in the sense of helping to develop roading policy that includes motorcycles.

I've only had to call out the AA once to help me on my motorcycle, and I had no issue. However they do make it clear that they are a car focused group, and help motorcycles out on a "best effort" basis. As a result of this, I do have a specialist motorcycle call out service via my motorcycle insurance to make sure I don't get stranded.

I guess the issue is caused when their is a difference between expectations of the consumer and the provider supplying them. Perhaps the AA needs to do more about lowering the expectations for those people with motorcycles with regard to its road side assistance service.

I actually find your blithe attitude and inability to acknowledge anyone else's opinions, feelings, experiences or facts that are at odds with your own jolly annoying Mr D'Ath. What ever sunny field you woke up in isn't necessarily the experience of the bloke who just pushed a bike 12kms because the AA wouldn't honour their contract.

I like my sunny field. It helps me view the world in a happy way.

From a policy perspective, the inability of the AA to create an inclusive policy for all road users does not bode well for their participation in the MSL. Their approach around the recent plight of motorcyclists has always been that everything the Government says about bikes is true, along with wholeheartedly buying into the concept of making motorcyclists pay for their injuries, rehab and funerals despite no other "accounts" being singled out.

I would have to agree with you to some regard. Historically the AA was lots "car" clubs and joined together to form one large national body, and this is where their roots are deeply set. And as a car club they have been concerned with roading issues, but from that perspective. And there is nothing wrong with that. That is what the clubs wanted to do.
But I do feel a definite shift within the organisation to be more helpful towards other users of the roading network.

[MSTRS:Me]

But I do feel a definite shift within the organisation to be more helpful towards other users of the roading network.

A shift, eh? Something along the lines of "Oh yeah, you're right. There are motorcycles out there. So? Your point is?".

For the AA to be 'welcome' in things motorcycling, the shift needs to be a quantum leap beyond that.

[StoneY]

Wow...I got a full nights sleep.

Anyone wanting more info PM me
As Riffer says he has one vote, and so far seem in tune with rest of us (so far)

:-)

[mashman]

Good luck Stones... as mentioned last time, i'm glad to see a member of the AA on the MSAC, if only to give it a bias enough to cover all of the angles and offer up some real life "arguments". No good having a group of nodding dogs on the MSAC. Fortunately you have a membership to rely on for the purpose of debunking/counter arguing issues that are being "weighted" in a way that you may see as counteractive to motorcyclists "wants"... although we may well tell you the opposite

have fun dear

[Ocean1]

Fortunately you have a membership to rely on for the purpose of debunking/counter arguing issues that are being "weighted" in a way that you may see as counteractive to motorcyclists "wants"

And to insist that all roading budgetry issues be weighted such that motorcycle fatalities and injuries are on par with other road users.






What?

The parity of outcomes shit works for every other fucking minority in this country dunnit?

[StoneY]

And to insist that all roading budgetry issues be weighted such that motorcycle fatalities and injuries are on par with other road users.
What?
The parity of outcomes shit works for every other fucking minority in this country dunnit?

And is one of the things us councillors were briefed on by NZTA on Wednesday
Full committment to start engineering our roads for US as well, where we come in is identifying the holes

And lots of this was done in Vic that we can adapt for our needs

First ever proposal put to us formally was from NZTA in fact for a cross supportive fact finding project, costs from them, knowledge from us and our contacts

And so it starts...............

[Mom]

Yesterday, to my complete surprise I have discovered that this role carries a very small salary payment from ACC's payroll.

You never struck me as naive.

Fuck the AA. And the horseless carriage they rode in on.

I think it's great you're being paid. It's the whole point of Quangos and it wasn't fair that you were missing out.

What he said.

To find out the AA's stance on motorcycle safety, go to their website and search for "motorcycle safety".

I think you'll find that their view more closely parallels James Deuce's story than p.dath's.

My experiences with the chap with the initials MN have been so very different. Perhaps it was because I wasn't talking to him in a journalistic sense?

I too have had dealings with Mike Noon and gone head to head regarding safety for motorcyclists on the roads. As long as the roads are safe for cars then all is good in the world. To have a representative from AA anywhere near the MSL funds is a joke, I dont care how nice the bloke is, or if he rides a bike, or for how long etc. He is there representing an organisation that are openly anti motorcycle.

[NONONO]

Bloody nonsense.
I object to paying the MSL in the strongest terms...
Why? Because I object to the levy hikes in total.
There is some kind of mental gymnastics needed to object to one and support the other.
The "It's better to be on the inside" bullshit, is just that.
Having been involved in the same union as Stoney for many many years I could point out why this so called truism is crap.
Hey Stony, "Partnership For Quality", ring a bell? Now we have to have meetings with management BEFORE we can discuss our issues with members...
Being "on the inside" has really helped eh? Massive job losses, service reductions, and funding decreasing in real terms...Bullshit!
So now the deck is stacked, right wing economists, AA flunkies and paid members...
Sure we will get some "Quality" , as in "Partnership for Quality"

[StoneY]

Nonono your talking shit, wipe ya fuckin chin.

[Smifffy]

The AA were worse than useless when I called them out in the middle of the night, broken down in the middle of nowhere. Dude turned up and asked if there was anyone I could call at 2am to tow me home - I said "yeah, you" He said "sorry pal - no towbar" and buggered off again. Good old dad to the rescue.

The AA kept sending me monthly magazines with front cover pics of road smashes and burglars, along with full page ads for AA insurance.

The AA gave me a hassle when I had to make an insurance claim after being run into by an unregistered un-wofed pile of shit hillman avenger.

The AA eventually paid out, but because I had a couple of speeding tickets, advised I should seek to re-insure elsewhere.

If the AA are serious about wanting representation on the M-sac then they should change their name from the Automobile Association to something more inclusive of other road users.

The AA can kiss my hairy arse.