A letter to the Govt

**SpankMe** · 15th July 2005, 15:45

There is an election coming up but I have no idea what each of the parties policies are on two wheeled transport. I keep hearing how the labour govt is trying to raise the ACC levies for us, but how about the rest of them.

A letter needs to be composed that everyone can download and sign to send to all their local parties individuals who wish to stand for your MP asking what their polices are and suggesting what they should be.

So please post paragraphs, sentences, ideas that you think should be in the letter. Or if your up to it, post the whole letter.

I for one would vote for any party willing to promise not to raise bike taxes, or even better, cut them. Yes, even the tree huggers could get my vote.

**Devil** · 15th July 2005, 15:49

Originally Posted by SpankMe

I for one would vote for any party willing to promise not to raise bike taxes, or even better, cut them. Yes, even the tree huggers could get my vote.

I wouldn't go that far but it would be good to get hold of the policies for each of the parties, THEN make suggestions.

**bugjuice** · 15th July 2005, 15:50

are we allowed to use the phrase - 'get fucked'?
Raise the levvys for us, and not give bikers equal chance on the roads etc? Sort the road conditions out and make us want to pay for them first...

And sort out this fukin stupid law about Learner cage drivers and riders for another.. One for all, and all for one!!!!

I'll get tappin, and see if my brain can cluster up anything original. Hate parrot leach things..

**SpankMe** · 15th July 2005, 16:04

What I would like to know is with all the complaining about traffic congestion, why not one party is encouraging the use of two wheels. If cagers could afford a bike as a second vehicle to commute to work, the problem could be reduced.

and why hasn't BRONZ got this info for us. I couldn’t find anything on their website.

**MSTRS:Me** · 15th July 2005, 16:06

Great idea. I'll give some thought but to kick it off - make the ACC levy payable only on the first vehicle reg renewal in any given year.

**Ixion** · 15th July 2005, 16:10

Originally Posted by SpankMe

What I would like to know is with all the complaining about traffic congestion, why not one party is encouraging the use of two wheels. If cagers could afford a bike as a second vehicle to commute to work, the problem could be reduced.

and why hasn't BRONZ got this info for us. I couldn’t find anything on their website.

Bronz are useless. I think I must go to their next AGM and do what I do best. Ask awkward questions. But i would not expect anything to come of it, the organisation is moribund. It has become a mutual preening and latte drinking society.

**Lou Girardin** · 15th July 2005, 17:14

One of the cage mags just did a brief piece on the various parties transport policies.
ACT was most user friendly, but seeing that they're dog tucker the point is moot.
National and NZ First were next best.
Labour, Progressives and United Future have given us what we now enjoy.
Guess who was most anti-car/bike?

**myvice** · 15th July 2005, 20:16

We should be getting a rebate for all the road tax as we only use 15-20% of the roads and little, if any damage is caused by us.
Why aren't 4x4 drivers paying higher ACC costs as when they are in even a minor prang thay can cause injury?
More bus/bike lanes (or just bike ones, hundreds of ks long, winding through bush with avgas and coffee every 100ks or so)
Why are we paying ANY ACC costs as thay have a "Dont Pay" policy anyway?
Bin ACC (A Complete Crock) and then you can sue the silly prat who has a $250,000 car with no working mirrors or indicators!
Look at it this way: My dad was run into, in his van, in Aussie.
Wiplash = $40,000
I was hit, on my bike, in AuckLANDOFTHEBLIND. Pulled tendons in lower back = A letter from ACC saying, "Gee, thats a real shame, if you need anything, anything at all, dont hesitate to fuck off cause we have your money and we dont give a rats about you anymore"
Back to thread,
Driver training, for ALL, including the imports.
Bin the 250 learner bollicks and have a power to weight ratio instead.
As above for cars as well.
Do a great race/survivor thing where all the burocrats are dropped into the Amazon and the first 100 get to run the country, the rest get to stay and play with the snakes.
Driver training at high school, 2 hours a week from 4th form/year10 up.
No speed limits on country roads. (you know the ones)
Off Topic:
Leaglise weed (no I dont but nor do I care who does) use the new revenue that this brings in (same as cigarettse) to fight P labs etc.
On Topic:
Compulsary bike licence first for min of 6 months before a car one.
This would do two things, first, people might start looking for us as it could be little Bob/Kate on "That Thing" as my mother calls them.
Secondly, Kate/Bob will learn that if you dont watch what you are doing you will get hurt. Just like real life, un-like TV or a windscreen.
And some will stay on the Dark Side with us!
Then we can take over the WORLD!
and bin ACC
We could get every biker we know to rant and rave but maybe a little bit of incentive is needed.
No, not that.
How about a mass "Take ya rego costs and shove it" type protest?
Or just a rally? Look at the numbers for the Westpac run, 2000 or so bikes from Auck to Wellington?
Might get noticed?

**TwoSeven** · 15th July 2005, 20:58

I'd suggest NOT sending them a letter. What they dont know about - they cant screw up.

**Jeremy** · 15th July 2005, 21:20

How about more motorcycle cops? If people are watching out for motorcycle cops then they might also be watching out for us.

Also I want no ACC fees on the registration of motorcycles, to counter act that they do less damage to the road that other vehicles. Remove any duty on motorcycle safety gear (if there is any left) as the increased cost of those goods is not in the public interest.

I'd also like to see those mini chopper things banned, but to do this a "2 wheeled vehicles seat height must be over x cm above the ground".

Scrap the graduated licensing waiting time. Why should someone who can pass the full test be discriminated against? Also the tests should be much harder and resits required every 5 years including theory (and since you should allready know the theory no questions wrong would be allowed) . With any profits going towards maintaining the roads.

And my final idea. A premium license (to make it easy they could put a P next to it. So you could get a 6P) which lets you do 130km/h on open roads where it is safe to.

**MSTRS:Me** · 16th July 2005, 10:51

Some good thoughts there but...

Originally Posted by Jeremy

Also I want no ACC fees on the registration of motorcycles, to counter act that they do less damage to the road that other vehicles.

Acc pays (very occasionally) for people injuries, not damage to roads.

Originally Posted by Jeremy

How about more motorcycle cops? If people are watching out for motorcycle cops then they might also be watching out for us.

Double-edged sword

Originally Posted by Jeremy

which lets you do 130km/h on open roads where it is safe to.

is THAT all?

**MSTRS:Me** · 16th July 2005, 11:03

ACC must be the equal to driver stupidity as features in our gripes so....
perhaps levies should be paid at a flat rate based on the number of seats your vehicle has. Based on the assumption that ACC is there to pay out in event of injury, then it could be assumed that every seat has an occupant. In the case of 2 or more vehicles registered in your name, you would be liable to pay ACC levies on the one vehicle with the most seats. This would encourage more motorcycles for a start.
Of course, the loophole here is that all vehicles 'could' be registered as belonging to just one person so heralding the demise of ACC and returning the right to take TheBastardWhoDeservesIt to the cleaners.
The above is a PT (or is it?)

**Ixion** · 16th July 2005, 11:24

Originally Posted by MSTRS

..

Double-edged sword

..

Not necessarily. The presumption is that there would not be more cops in total, but some taken out of their cages and put on bikes. Which I think would be an overall positive for bikers.

**MSTRS:Me** · 16th July 2005, 11:27

Originally Posted by Ixion

Not necessarily. The presumption is that there would not be more cops in total, but some taken out of their cages and put on bikes. Which I think would be an overall positive for bikers.

That's a point. As long as 'they' are issued with scooters of course...