See BRONZ in action in Wellington 12-5-11 -- Wellington Mcycle Petition Presentation

[oneofsix]

they tried to send me into the part where you pay rates and the like and they don't even know how to do their own job let alone know where the real council work goes on did I say real council work? sorry for that mistake

Glad Simon knew where to go. Guess this is where getting along side councils helps, you then don't have to rely on their helpdesks :Wink:

[bogan]

Someone isn't understanding the squeaky wheel premise.

How do we get people with oil to hear the squeaking? was my point.

[theseekerfinds]

Someone isn't understanding the squeaky wheel premise.

I'd like to have seen more squeaky wheels at the presentation but hey folks gotta work.. what forum would we squeak in to get the oil, do we go to the papers or flood facebook and those social networking type sites with our squeaks.. I agree though, more squeaky wheels need to come to the fore

[StoneY]

Just spoke with Simon and it seems we can tentatively chalk up a minor victory at this point.
Time will truly tell though in August

We used senior councilors own statements in quotes, we used 'dust to dust' analogies backed up by Bryan Pepperil a Harley owning councilor, and thanked them for the cooperative discourse we have had since the e-petition went viral

Great work Simon and all who contributed, and yet again thanks to WIMA, Ulysses and MAG NZ for the initial support at the opening round of discussions

[oneofsix]

Just spoke with Simon and it seems we can tentatively chalk up a minor victory at this point.
Time will truly tell though in August

We used senior councilors own statements in quotes, we used 'dust to dust' analogies backed up by Bryan Pepperil a Charley owning councilor, and thanked them for the cooperative discourse we have had since the e-petition went viral

Great work Simon and all who contributed, and yet again thanks to WIMA, Ulysses and MAG NZ for the initial support at the opening round of discussions

so an example of the various groups working together to achieve a good outcome for the whole motorcycling community. Well done. But because this is politics lets wait before we party.

[riffer]

You're absolutely right there theseekerfinds. Thanks for the support today. Good to see a fellow biker there.

I'd rate this one as a win for us. As theseekerfinds said, presentation of our petition came after two lengthy submissions. Council listened politely and intently and offered positive reaction to the petition.

I explained the massive increase in motorcycle traffic volumes (rising 10% year on year compared to 0.5% for all other traffic) and the effect this way having on the WCC parking infrastructure. Quoted MTA's Andy Cuming and Council's own Ian McKinnon on these matters for evidence - this raised a few eyebrows in council due to a scruffy biker in a suit using the council's own words to support their argument I can tell you.

Moved on to talking about unofficial carparks of the past being eradicated (Boulcott St in particular) and the effect this has had on motorcyclists, being forced to find alternative parking arrangements.

Thanked Job Visser for the work he's been doing in negotiating with parking buildings on our behalf and enquired as to the progress made in the accommodation of motorcyclists in parking buildings and provision of lockers, as our research indicates that there is little movement in this area.

Mentioned the casual discussion held between the infrastructure executives and the motorcycling representatives (of which BRONZ is part) and that we understood that there is a commitment from the Council that while parks may change position and some may become time limited, our parking spaces will not be reduced in number.

Talked about the environmental factors vis-a-vis motorcycles and scooters - arguably less environmentally damaging, particular as new motorcycle registrations are on the increase and we are seeing the motorcycle fleet more rapidly turning over, meaning newer bikes which are held to higher emissions standards are largely replacing older, less environmentally conscious models.

Asked about the large piece of pavement corner Courtnay Place and Taranaki Street near the old toilets and whether it could be converted to bike parking. Council were cagey about this but got a commitment that it will be added to discussions.

Asked if Council is still intending to assess all locations presented by the motorcycling public as potential motorcycle parks as per the comments posted to kiwibiker by Jon Visser asking us to assist in this issue.

Council let me run over time which was good. At the completion they accepted our petition with 4265 signatures on it, and tabled it.

There is a meeting in August which I have informed them we will be attending, and this was acknowledged by Council that they accept that we are not going away.

The Mayor personally thanked BRONZ for our positive attitude towards working with council on solutions to the parking problem and stated that they looked forward to working with us on this ongoingly.

Councillor Pepperell added that Council also needed to consider the dust-to-dust carbon footprint of motorcycles was hugely better that cars, and Council needed to recognise that motorcycles were part of the solution, rather than a problem.

This was duly noted by Council and the petition was unanimously accepted by all present.

We are looking foward to continuing to work with Council on getting a better deal for Wellington motorcyclists and consider it a victory that we won't be losing any of our free parks.

[Katman]

I agree though, more squeaky wheels need to come to the fore

I'm not far off moving from a squeak to a tortured screech.

[theseekerfinds]

awesome work Simon, and I must add that the Mayor also made positive comments about the petition and how it was well presented to the council so again

[Fatt Max]

Good work there mate, well done

[StoneY]

I'm not far off moving from a squeak to a tortured screech.

That reminds me of one of my ex girlfriends singing ability..... oooo shudder!

[cheshirecat]

Really good stuff s
I particularly like this

"The Mayor personally thanked BRONZ for our positive attitude towards working with council on solutions to the parking problem and stated that they looked forward to working with us on this ongoingly.

[theseekerfinds]

was the way the lady presenting before Simon made the gaffe over the difference between the correct use of the word Penal and Penile that was a very funny moment and the levity introduced seem to carry over to Simon's presentation

[Kendog]

Nice work

[caseye]

You are a flaming Leg End riffer, well done that man and lets loo0ok forward to the August result.
While these things do take time and results are rarely seen immediately I reckon that with the support of over 4000 Welly bikers, Jon and the other motorcycle organisations that BRONZ Welly have done something quite special here.
Well done.

[Nasty]

awesome work Simon, and I must add that the Mayor also made positive comments about the petition and how it was well presented to the council so again

+1 mate ... onya!