So what are YOUR issues.

[Pixie]

This lump behind my ear,that just gets bigger,day by day...

[Pixie]

Exemption from the proposed Auckland conjection charge. Let's nip that particular bastard in the bud.

That charge is purely conjecture.

[Big Dave]

The Big Dave Files 1

I’m not sure whether I should feel daunted or not. It all started when I asked a question online: Who represents motorcyclist’s interests to the Government?

Good question it turns out. I started to dig a bit further – I wanted to know how decisions were made and laws are passed that effect my tax-paying safety and wellbeing. Particularly in matters concerning the highways and the byways. And of course what can I do to swing the pendulum a bit in motorcyclists favour?

Best I can find so far is it seems ACC has a consultative group, but nobody has been able to tell me how to contact them.

I want to tell someone I reckon we deserve a break – I only ever travel by motorcycle and contribute very little to the pollution and congestion around Auckland. I consume far fewer resources, yet I don’t seem to get any advantage over mum’s 3 tonnes of black-smoke-belching-Remuera Taxi as it drifts over two lanes of motorway in a text messaging frenzy.

Surely common sense isn’t at work when there are bikes riding up the middle of lines of traffic on virtually stationary motorways whilst the designated bus lanes remain practically empty.

Doesn’t the victory in the courts of the Wellington man who took Tararua Council to court - over the very same improperly signposted road works that came within a coat of paint of having me and ‘The Barron’ collide - set a precedent for all of us.

Who do I tell I wanted to know?

‘Different departments control the motorway.’ and ‘Emergency vehicle use’ were some answers I got back - but there must be someone I can appeal to, and through?

We have the MRA back home and there is an active group in the UK too. So I had a bit of a look at how they operate and set off to my first Wednesday night BRONZ meeting armed with a Utopian vision - and their last column in KR by way of research.

I did look it up just to make sure I had the right definition.

‘Utopian, in its most common and general positive meaning, refers to the human efforts to create a better, or perhaps perfect society. Ideas which could/are considered able to radically change our world are often called utopian ideas.

"Utopian" in a negative meaning is used to discredit ideas as too advanced, too optimistic or unrealistic, impossible to realize. Hence, for example, the use by Marxists, of such expressions as "utopian socialism".

Now I’ve always been more likely to quote Marx, Groucho than Marx, Karl, but my utopian vision was of a 'motorcycle lobby'.

A unit headed by a self-funding professional advocate, lobbying the govt and its minions on my behalf.

Making appropriate submissions in the interest of motorcyclists on matters like traffic laws, road construction, loose seal, cell phone safety, etcetera - under a collective banner representing all riders and interested parties.

What I met at the AKL BRONZ was half a dozen enthusiastic and diligent souls doing some great work in rider training and charity work.

For their small numbers, they have achieved some 'statutory' results too. But pretty much they are a few swimming against the tide.

Their positive results in influencing policy over (INSERT WHAT POLICY) took me back to Utopia – What if the funding and grants that ACC, LTNZ etc put out to tender for submissions was being chased by someone who represented motorcyclists interests?

I bet the AA, the big construction companies, Dept of Works, ACC and all the other interested parties have someone on the payroll.

Unfortunately the reality is a small contingent of under-resourced enthusiasts lurching between submission deadlines and commendably picking up what they can. Their efforts are above reproach - the fact that there is so few of them is not.

So I joined. Help 'em out with a bit of PR and design work. I knows some folks that knows some folks...and out went the emails under the title: ‘The power of the press and what is he doing wielding it?

Some of the replies that bounced back were incredible.

There are motorcyclists in high places that want issues of funding, ACC levies, road safety and ‘the system’ addressed.

I met a man, his minder and had a conversation to make Woodward, Bernstein and Deep Throat proud.

I’ll call him ‘Waterbike’.

I was handed a folder, a list of people to talk to and the keys to a Pandora’s box of statistical information about motorcycling. Welcome to the ‘Big Dave Files’.

According to the plan I’ll be putting my Kiwi Rider hat on and knocking on a few doors at ACC, LTNZ and the Beehive armed with the questions that KR readers want answered.

To start I invited www.kiwibiker.co.nz members to nominate ‘Their Issues’ and where they feel the government is getting it wrong.

The most frequently voiced concerns were ‘ACC Levies’ followed by ‘Motorway speed limits for restricted riders’.

So I went to my second BRONZ meeting and tabled 2 items for inclusion on the agenda for the upcoming National Meeting.

What I hope will happen now is that BRONZ executive will formulate a response, a position statement, and a recommended call to action.

This will tell ordinary bikers who to write to and the words to say.

We’ll send it out for distribution as a press release and spread it around as much of the media and electronic mediums as we can - and hopefully have the first part of a mechanism in place.

We’ll have data downloadable from the BRONZ website.

From there, ‘rank and file’ motorcyclist can pick up and petition the ministers and govt departments involved with a unified ‘make ‘em nervous’ voice.

Even copy and paste emails will have some effect. To that end I asked ‘Waterbike’ about form letters.

At a low key secret meeting on Princes Wharf he negated the notion ‘that a form letter is not as effective as a hand written note to the halls of power. Enough well written form letters will make people nervous, and that’s what you want.’

While not exactly what I want, it sounds like a pretty good start.

Next edition we’ll publish some very interesting stats and start to pull apart some of the issues. We’ll also set up an email link so that KR readers can forward the hard questions they would like asked of the powers that be.

‘Waterbike’ is out there. Some of his info will make you want to do something.

In the meantime – see if you can find the time to attend a BRONZ meeting.
The power of many and just maybe we can make a difference.

Happy daze!
BD.

[Ixion]

Go Big Dave. But remember I have first dibs when it comes time to blow things up.

BTW, there were only two of us there from KB (as far as I know ) . Where wuz youz all? Letz have LOTZ of KB presence at the next one. And preferably some bolshie folk . Mr WINJA, where wuz you, right up your alley.

[Big Dave]

That charge is purely conjecture.

Nice - I'll remember to pay it in theory.

[Hitcher]

Good on you Dave for sticking it to The Man.

PS: And shouldn't he be "Deepbike" instead of "Waterbike"?

[ManDownUnder]

Now this is one I'm going to watch with interest...

Good onya Dave
MDU

[El Dopa]

That charge is purely conjecture.

So let's get behind Dave, kick up a fuss, and make sure it stays that way, for bikes at least.

[mdb]

- Splitting/filtering (it should be legal within some reasonable limits)
- Yellow line shouldn't apply to bikes (maybe double yellows could)
- Tax credits for using in peak times (ie reducing congestion)
- Compulsory FREE parking anywhere for bikes (except private property)
- ACC levies (how about just making it fair)
- Incentives to get people riding (that should increase awareness which should increase safety for those of us on 2 bikes).

[Big Dave]

So let's get behind Dave, kick up a fuss, and make sure it stays that way, for bikes at least.

Thank you - and I know what you mean - but you know, i don't want people to get behind *me*, I appreciate the support and encouragement - but I'm just the messenger and an entertainer.

The clubs, groups and established organisations like BRONZ are who we should get behind.

It just needs lots of people to do a little bit.

[Bangbug]

Paint + wet == suck (a change or just reposition in some area's would be nice, pedestrian crossings on corners?)
Lane splitting is illegal? News to me......... change that too then :P
You can't use motorway bus lanes? Man, i'm behind on the times..... change that too.
Make me Minister of Development and Big Dave Dictator
On ya dave

[Bangbug]

How can lane splitting be illegal?
You can legally pass on a double yellow as long as you indicate you are overtaking and do not pass over the double yellow lines????
Gud luck mr plod catching someone who is lanesplitting to begin with (traffic and all) but still.
I'm sure you could quote that bit of the road code to them. just remember to indicate. (a reasonable distance away from the car you are passing would be exactly between either one........ that would be reasonable...... to me...... what do you think mr ) look at the time...... oh dear. nite nite

[Big Dave]

PS: And shouldn't he be "Deepbike" instead of "Waterbike"?

Yes - good call.

[inlinefour]

ACC, what about the % of accidents cause by a slackarsed cager. They fecked up so the accident should come under their statistics. Also the category bikes come into and all the other dangerous shyte with motorcycles. Fark, they tell me those kiddies push scooters are ACC's biggect nightmare!

[Korea]

Compulsory spelling and grammar testing for KBers!
Oh alright then, just learn to make the destinction between "your" and "you're" - Take a stand against ignorance today!
Please...?