What would you really prefer from the Popos?

[Jack Miller]

Rastuscat started a poll asking what KiwiBikers wanted from their Popos
1. Enforcement - nail the 2 wheeled bastards
2. Engagement - work with the bikers, not against them
It is a fascinating question that has so far attracted almost 3000 views and 170 replies. However, it has received only 48 votes. I think it deserves more and guess that perhaps the two options don't encompass enough views. So I offer this version with a third option:
3. Estrangement - leave us alone (unless we have broken the law and you can prove it.)

[jazfender]

I just want to live in a poll-less society.

Free of OPpression.

[rastuscat]

Good suggestion Jacko.

I've already taken the engagement thing to the following: offer people the chance to engage with the Popos re road safety, and if they take it, fine.

Certainly sitting people down and preaching to them from a soap box was never my plan.

Here in Chur Chur we are setting up some training sessions, and the Popo talk which is part of it will be about whatever people want to run by us.

I went to Ruapuna a couple of weeks back, and people wanted to talk about lane splitting, speed (surprise), bus lanes, overtaking on the left. I basically provided folk with the opportunity to discuss stuff, and everyone then had a choice.

I'm sure this poll will go the way of 'leave us alone', which is essentially what was planned anyway. Those we won't be leaving alone will be those who we find doing stuff that car drivers would be getting attention for anyway.

Ho hum

[Jack Miller]

Good suggestion Jacko.
I'm sure this poll will go the way of 'leave us alone'.

I'm not so sure. Several people have disagreed with my view that the Police have little to offer road safety (because most accidents are caused by things that are not illegal.) They've disagreed with quite a bit of conviction and not all of those who have disagreed are Popos (unless they're less forthcoming about it than you, scumdog & Berg.) I could be wrong. If there is a genuine belief that Popos are well placed to improve rider safety by engaging with us then riders will still vote that way.

At least with the third option we are getting a much better ratio of votes to views so the results will be more conclusive.

[oneofsix]

I'm not so sure. Several people have disagreed with my view that the Police have little to offer road safety (because most accidents are caused by things that are not illegal.) They've disagreed with quite a bit of conviction and not all of those who have disagreed are Popos (unless they're less forthcoming about it than you, scumdog & Berg.) I could be wrong. If there is a genuine belief that Popos are well placed to improve rider safety by engaging with us then riders will still vote that way.

At least with the third option we are getting a much better ratio of votes to views so the results will be more conclusive.

I usually ignore the polls and just comment but this time I voted.
The risk with engagement is different people have different opinions of how this is to be done. The sort of chatter that go to and fro on KB is one form however people in positions of authority (and strange as it may seem I don't mean the popo this time) will see engagement as in the high school teacher. They will try to organise the 'engagement' so that the popo becomes the lecturer with the little bikers listening attentively That style of engagement will not work. As these threads show we are sick of propaganda and whilst the popo on lecture duty might be sincere in their words unless the bikers are allowed to question and be heard they will be as deaf to the popo's points as the authorities are to theirs.

[Pseudonym]

“I’m from the government and I’m here to help”
Oneofsix has it right, most of us are sick of the propaganda, but even the paranoid cynic that I am, I can still see merit in having a program in place where we, the unwashed masses that we are, could stand up and say “hey, we want to lane split because we don’t want to get rear ended, and if they are going to side swipe us then they will regardless.”
But will we be listened to?
The powers that be work grudgingly and slowly.
And if anything is implemented would it come as a package deal where we get hit with compulsory Hi-Vis vests or some other BS?

[Ocean1]

“I’m from the government and I’m here to help”
Oneofsix has it right, most of us are sick of the propaganda

Indeed. Who, in fact does the law serve?

So...

I offer this version with a third option:
3. Estrangement - leave us alone (unless we have broken the law and you can prove it.)

4. Enforce the law - and set the law so that 99% of the population don't break it.

[avgas]

I wanna ride my motorbike. That is all.

[oneofsix]

I wanna ride my motorbike. That is all.

and I want to ride it how I like

[rastuscat]

Along the same lines...........

[Jack Miller]

Along the same lines...........

Ever had anyone drop in on you like that Rtc? Be enough to make you choke on your donut

[rastuscat]

Ever had anyone drop in on you like that Rtc? Be enough to make you choke on your donut

Choke........on a donut.............not when you get as good at munching them as I...........wanna argue that one?

[Jack Miller]

...........wanna argue that one?

Me? Argue?

[Jack Miller]

Looks to me like you actually have a brief for your engagement strategy rtc. Even when given the option of estrangement 40% still would like to engage with you. Personally I prefer estrangement, like the other 60%, but 40% is still a lot. Looks like there is a desire for cop engagement after all.

[Spearfish]

I voted engaging I'm sick of riding every day to work and back and never being stopped for a chat by the popo..
Could be something to do with scooters?