The Big Dave Files

**Big Dave** · 17th March 2006, 17:32

or
The power of the press and WTF am I doing weilding it.

Dateline 16/3/06.
A bike politics meeting, a few emails, a meeting with deep throat (no, not that deep throat buggy - watergate) and 'the Big Dave files' are set to appear in Kiwi Rider Magazine on a regular basis.

This afternoon I've been show the door to interviews with the PM, Minister for Land transport, ACC, Police chief and more - to ask them questions about motorcyclists and their treatment. (I reckon I might just be able to tell them a thing or two as well :-p)

If this all works - i'm going to set up the meetings and ask KRers & KBers what questions they want asked of the powers that be.

Don't answer yet - but think about it.

I've also been given the keys to a treasure trove of data about motorcycling.

Here we go - check this.

BD Files Part 1a
Would anybody care to offer a theory to explain these trends.

**Ixion** · 17th March 2006, 17:35

When did Jap import rice burners start hitting the market?

And , sounds good. But beware you don't get sucked into the official rubber stamp machine. Seen that happen more than once. Those bureaucrats can be *sooo* convincing.

**Big Dave** · 17th March 2006, 17:42

Originally Posted by Ixion

When did Jap import rice burners start hitting the market?

And , sounds good. But beware you don't get sucked into the official rubber stamp machine. Seen that happen more than once. Those bureaucrats can be *sooo* convincing.

Thanks and I hear you - conversely they haven't had the front end wash out on pea gravel.

**erik** · 17th March 2006, 23:13

Originally Posted by Big Dave

BD Files Part 1a
Would anybody care to offer a theory to explain these trends.

My guess:

Increase in imported cars in the late 80's and decrease in car price mean more people driving them, hence number of cars on the road and car accidents increase dramatically from 1988 to 2003.
Bike numbers don't increase as rapidly. While the number of bike crashes might have stayed constant (or increased), the large increase in car crashes makes the bike crashes form a smaller percent of the total.

**Karma** · 17th March 2006, 23:18

Yeh you'd have to reference it against things like car safety for instance...

There was a time when it was more likely you'd die in a car crash than walk away...

Remember things like the old Mercedes steering wheel that used to cut peoples chest open if they crashed.

**Motu** · 18th March 2006, 08:54

That crossover year coinsides with the height of the Yuppy era - when bikes went from a necessity/enthusiasts vehicle to a fashion accessory,to to bought ''just because they can'',no home was complete without a Monsta and a KTM,complete top of the line riding kit for each,a jet ski,seperate trailers for each.The bike has now become the toy they always wanted.They couldn't handle their money.....couldn't handle their bikes either.

Also shows our increased use of protective gear produces less injuries...but more deaths.In some of the helmet reshearch it shows less injuries for full face helmets,but increased deaths from spinal cord injuries....nothing can be proved,but the graph shows trends.

**thealmightytaco** · 18th March 2006, 13:00

Hmmm, very interesting graph. Trends I'm not sure about, I like the opinions given thus far though, especially the increased gear accounting for less injuries, and the influx of old japanese cars raising the 4 wheeled vehicle count compared to the 2 wheelers.

But the graph would make a fantastiuc argument against the exorbitant motorbike acc levies; we're less likely to crash than the rest, and if we do we're more likely to be beyond repair and hence not need any ongoing payments. Ya bastards.

Terrible thought that last one though, but apparently it is so.

**oldrider** · 18th March 2006, 19:36

There are statistics of war that detail the change between brain injures and deaths following the introduction of steel helmets.

Maybe the introduction of safety gear and the improvement of the quality can be tracked.

When I got my licence and started riding bikes, you couldn't buy affordable safety gear and even if you could you didn't have to wear it.

The bikes were pretty docile, the brakes and lighting were crap and we seemed to crash off more than have accidents with other vehicles, maybe the poor roads contributed.

I like what you are doing Dave keep it up. Cheers John.

**Big Dave** · 18th March 2006, 20:49

I'll try and note what bikes were the best sellers at each peak of the graph.

I'm at some disadvantage only having being here 5 years - Anybody know - or where I can find out:

What year

was Random Breath testing Introduced?

were helmets made compulsory?

Did 250cc restrictions come into force?

were rider training made compulsory?

thanks

**Big Dave** · 18th March 2006, 20:58

Originally Posted by thealmightytaco

But the graph would make a fantastiuc argument against the exorbitant motorbike acc levies;

Don't just jump straight to the climax of all this! we build slowly and garner interest first.

Wait till I roll out the injustice of the 4T formula for weight based road wear and tear calculations. It'll knock yer socks off.

**Lou Girardin** · 20th March 2006, 08:26

Could it be that the actual reporting of injury accidents has fallen since '90. Co-incidentally since the Police takeover from MOT. So that unless the injury requires an ambulance it is highly likely that it's not attended. Fatals are always attended.
Add to that the comment already said, that as bikes become toys, their owners can also afford better protective gear.

**Motu** · 20th March 2006, 09:35

That graph starts in 1970,the year I started riding bikes.The early 70s sure were a heady time,there was a huge boom in the interest in bikes,and it was the begining of the superbike era.Previously performance bikes had been the reserve of the very experianced rider - now anyone could walk in and with 25% deposit ride out on any bike on the floor.The steep climb of the graph shows these kids killing themselves,but also reflects the big increase of bikes on the road,and off road...trail bikes were the new thing back then too,I bought my first new trail bike in 1971.

There was a helmet law - you had to wear one if doing over 30mph,but no one did,and the Cops never enforced the rule.I never heard of anyone being done for it.The helmet law was extended to any speed in 1973/74 I think....I lost my licence that summer,but may of been riding legally as I remember the first day of compulsory helmets.I already wore a helmet off road,and if I was going to go for a fast ride often wore one too.

**Big Dave** · 20th March 2006, 11:23

Thanks motu and others - what I was looking for - but why do you reckon deaths started to fall sharply in the late 80's - because there was more car accidents? or is it a bike safety issue.
I'll ask ACC too.