Slippery man hole covers - has anyone tried a petition?

**oneofsix** · 12th May 2011, 10:53

Originally Posted by unstuck

We dont even have traffic lights and only 4 roundabouts.

I would suggest you try to use them as defensive driving practice or something because i dont think they will move all of the sewage and telecom lines just so people can avoid a bit of wobble on a bike.How many accidents have been caused by manhole covers?Good luck though,I,m all for people making changes in their lives.

they don't have to move them, most of the time it is a case of just applying the surface to them and making them level with the road as they are meant to be anyhow. But all authorities will take the cheap lazy option unless required to do other wise. As ACC wears most of the hidden cost I would suggest it should interest them.

**racefactory** · 12th May 2011, 10:57

They aren't that bad.

Have a relaxed grip on the bars and a steady throttle if you have to go over one when leaning. Providing you are going fast enough the front end will drop slightly as it slides out but providing you have a relaxed grip it will straighten up again no worries.

If you are going slow enough that the front end will wash out completely then you are a muppet and haven't looked ahead.

**steve_t** · 12th May 2011, 10:59

Originally Posted by Metastable

Another one I have seen for existing covers, is to have the majority of the cover coated with asphalt.

Probably too expensive and also I would imagine the asphalt would crack easily as it wouldn't be thick enough to withstand heavy vehicles going over it. Probably easier to get some glue and a bag of sand

**unstuck** · 12th May 2011, 10:59

Originally Posted by oneofsix

they don't have to move them, most of the time it is a case of just applying the surface to them and making them level with the road as they are meant to be anyhow. But all authorities will take the cheap lazy option unless required to do other wise. As ACC wears most of the hidden cost I would suggest it should interest them.

Some of the telecom ones that i have installed down this way on the roadside(shoulder) have a tarseal covering on top. Good point.

**Quasievil** · 12th May 2011, 11:31

What about wet man hole covers on a Race Track ?

**oneofsix** · 12th May 2011, 11:33

Originally Posted by Quasievil

What about wet man hole covers on a Race Track ?

sounds like a test for your leathers

**george formby** · 12th May 2011, 11:38

Get 20ltrs of bright yellow vinyl paint, add 10kg of course sand & grit, stir thoroughly. Sneek out late at night & paint smiley faces on all the man hole covers.
Jobs a carrot

**oneofsix** · 12th May 2011, 11:45

Originally Posted by george formby

Get 20ltrs of bright yellow vinyl paint, add 10kg of course sand & grit, stir thoroughly. Sneek out late at night & paint smiley faces on all the man hole covers.
Jobs a carrot

Wonder what the legal implications of yellow smilies would be? No stopping on the smiley

**unstuck** · 12th May 2011, 11:47

Originally Posted by george formby

Get 20ltrs of bright yellow vinyl paint, add 10kg of course sand & grit, stir thoroughly. Sneek out late at night & paint smiley faces on all the man hole covers.
Jobs a carrot

Sounds like a bloody good idea.

**george formby** · 12th May 2011, 12:05

Cost would be an issue to LTA or council or somebody. Sooooo, propose that the man hole covers are painted with business logos. The business foots the bill for the work & has advertising to boot. Follow the golden arches on the road to fast food heaven.
I'm actually half serious about this, road safety, cost effective & cheap advertising.

**jaffaonajappa** · 12th May 2011, 12:10

Originally Posted by george formby

Get 20ltrs of bright yellow vinyl paint, add 10kg of course sand & grit, stir thoroughly. Sneek out late at night & paint smiley faces on all the man hole covers.
Jobs a carrot

Awesome. Could almost turn this one into a bumper sticker

**Big Dave** · 12th May 2011, 15:09

Moto NZ fodder?

**Maha** · 12th May 2011, 15:15

A petition on this subject may work in Wellington, I doubt though.
I remember one of the reason Auckland opted out of a bid to host the Aussie V8's years ago was the hassle of fixing the man hole covers. There were other reasons but that one remains the mystery one.

**oneofsix** · 12th May 2011, 15:32

Originally Posted by Maha

A petition on this subject may work in Wellington, I doubt though.
I remember one of the reason Auckland opted out of a bid to host the Aussie V8's years ago was the hassle of fixing the man hole covers. There were other reasons but that one remains the mystery one.

Vague memories of that when Wellington used to host street racing last century. I think it was because the manhole covers have to be strengthened and locked down, can't have a cover coming loose in the middle of the race. After all how many covers rattle when ridden over? Imagine if one popped up as a V8 crossed it at high speed.

**george formby** · 12th May 2011, 15:35

Originally Posted by oneofsix

Vague memories of that when Wellington used to host street racing last century. I think it was because the manhole covers have to be strengthened and locked down, can't have a cover coming loose in the middle of the race. After all how many covers rattle when ridden over? Imagine if one popped up as a V8 crossed it at high speed.

What do they do with them at the street races, Paeroa etc?