Politics

**Motu** · 27th April 2006, 22:46

Originally Posted by Ixion

When I was younger bikers were much more politically active and clued up. We DID on several occasions force the powers that be to make a change.

I remember attending an meeting when ACC wanted to put up levies. Still far far less than at present, and still much less than cars. But bikers objected to being discriminated against

And turned up to a protest meeting in sufficient numbers to fill the Auckland Town Hall (not a small building).

Was on TV , the works. ACC backed down.

Ah,those were the days! I was there,but not on a bike - we came in a car full of leaflets and ran up and down Queen St handing them out.It felt soooo good being part of something like that,all us bikers,didn't matter what we rode,what clothes we wore,we were all together,all united and of one cause.

I don't think they are capable of it,and this thread proving it to us....

**Big Dave** · 28th April 2006, 00:50

Ahhhh - beats watchin television.

**Karma** · 28th April 2006, 02:41

Well it occurs to me that there are three options here (and in this I'm referring to those that give a shit, so all you haters can just ignore this post)...

Option 1 - Ignore the murmers

Sit back, do nothing, then start paying extra when they bring the tolls in

Option 2 - Lobby for special treatment for bikes

I'm sure this would be pretty easy using Greater London as a prime example, congesion (and accidents!) have decreased dramatically since it's implementation. And it wouldn't take much to put all this into some kinda dossier and submit it to the proper authorities.

Option 3 - Lobby against the entire scheme

Now here's where it gets interesting. No matter how much you may dislike cagers, isn't the enemy of my enemy my friend?
There are a shedload more cars in Auckland and the surrounding areas than there are bikes, and involving all the car clubs we can get hold of and generating one massive movement will be a hell of a lot more visable than just a bike movement. I'd imagine groups like the AA and such are probably looking at things like this already.

So... are you interested in just bikes not having to pay, or getting rid of the whole crackpot scheme altogether?

**SixPackBack** · 28th April 2006, 07:15

Red Necks are alive and well in N.Z I see. What a load of unmitigated tripe spoken in this thread. To the red neck family in Napier......A Jaffa ride is currently being organised to smear human excrement over that stupid fucken mermaid you hold so dear to your hearts.

**Rosie** · 28th April 2006, 08:59

**goes into cupboard, has a bit of a look around and pulls out a tin. Reads label "Watties finest worms. Tender and sweet tasting" Puts index finger under little opening-tab-thing and starts to pull**

I don't think it matters whether or not you like Auckland, the fact is that the lifestyle/traffic planning/etc factors that are causing the congestion problems in Auckland don't all magically stop at the Bombay hills.

We live in a society where people are encouraged to use their cars for almost all their transport. Maybe other cities can get away with this without having the traffic problems that Auckland does, but it doesn't mean that we are moving in the right direction.

The ARC has realised that something needs to be done, but I don't know that charging motorcycles on the roads is the right way to go about it. Even if they charge vehicles for driving on certain roads at certain times, what else are people going to do? Ride their pushbike down scary congested roads that don't have cycle lanes? Walk along roads that don't have proper footpaths, and have traffic lights where no-one thought to put in pedestrian crossings? (Rotorua has several of these and they seriously piss me off)

If I want to buy a bottle of milk, I can either go to the petrol station, or to the supermarket. I get strange looks when I ride my motorbike to the supermarket, because the supermarket is somewhere you go by car right? Even if you only need a couple of things. The other day I was walking back to my bike, and in front of me a little girl said to he mum "look, why would someone take a motorbike to the supermarket?"

I'm determined to use my car as little as possible, but there seem to be little, subtle things that get in your way, and make things a bit more difficult for you.

So, you've got this general trend where our cities are becoming more car-centred, making life a bit difficult for non-cars, encouraging people to use their cars more than they might do previously. But then, too many people are using their cars, so people need to be penalised to encourage them to use their cars less. And motorcycles have somehow been caught up in the whole ill-conceived thing.

The whole thing is a bit of a mess, and isn't likely to solve anything unless we address the factors that make people feel that driving their car everywhere is the only option they have.

Were a couple of interesting interviews on National Radio this morning. No mention of Motorbikes though.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/nr/programmes/morningreport

**MSTRS:Me** · 28th April 2006, 09:22

Originally Posted by CaN

Never in all my days have I seen such a load of utter bull shit.

Who gives a flying f*&k where the hell you are from? Either you care to support motorcyclists or bloody not.

So you don't get enough attention, don't winge about it, go talk to your mummy and daddy, it is thier fault you didn't get enough attention.
Where has any Aucklander moaned about paying more for your bloody roads? The moaning is always from small minded whiners down south. That argument is used as a rebuttal.

What bloody difference is a congestion charge going to make to a trip from Napier to the BOI? Fuck all, $6.00 a day, and only if you would be stupid enough to try and pass through Auckland during the morning peak, which would cost you $6.00 in additional fuel for idling anyway.

So off you go again about subsidising Auckland roads. Again another bitter twisted southerner complaining about Auckland getting "more than its fair share" when as per my previous rebuttal we already pay more. Note that is not a moan, it is a reply to your load of tripe.

I wouldn't go upsetting Southerners - most of your electricity comes from there. The defensive bleating by some Aucklanders about what that city does for the rest of the country is no better/worse than the same from 'us' about what Auckland takes from this country.

**Qkkid** · 28th April 2006, 09:35

Originally Posted by MSTRS

I wouldn't go upsetting Southerners - most of your electricity comes from there. The defensive bleating by some Aucklanders about what that city does for the rest of the country is no better/worse than the same from 'us' about what Auckland takes from this country.

Nice bike dude

Do you ride it,

or do you and hxc and Yungatart only ride around your own small town its a pity you dont get your arse up here for the 7th northern ride you guys might learn something about the roads further north of your town.

**Ixion** · 28th April 2006, 09:35

Originally Posted by Weasel

,,,. I'd imagine groups like the AA and such are probably looking at things like this already.

,,,?

The AA have registered their opposition. One of the few times those antiquated fossils have done something I approve of. I may take them off the list for a meeting with Mr Brick Wall come the revolution.

**MSTRS:Me** · 28th April 2006, 09:41

Originally Posted by Custard

Nice bike dude

Do you ride it,

or do you and hxc and Yungatart only ride around your own small town its a pity you dont get your arse up here for the 7th northern ride you guys might learn something about the roads further north of your town.

Thanks for the invite, but we are not done exploring our backyard yet....less traffic eh?

**scumdog** · 28th April 2006, 09:53

Originally Posted by hXc

It may just be young people. But the reason the young people are like this is because the older people taught us. Again, not my fault that you older people screwed things up and made the younger generation a pack of selfish, dim-witted de-generates.

Sure, do the modern thing - dispense with personal responsibilty.

For what it's worth a lot of younger ones are quite capable of screwing things up themselves because they want to do what THEY want to do and 'stuff you oldies and your rules and laws...'

They'll learn eventually - and 'fix' all the 'screw-up' made by the older people.
Yeah right, like THATS going to happen.

Me, me, me is the new battle-cry.

It'll be YOUR fault if you DON'T fix these 'screw-ups'

In the meantime get with the programme and unite for what is the common 'best'.

**MSTRS:Me** · 28th April 2006, 09:58

Originally Posted by scumdog

Sure, do the modern thing - dispense with personal responsibilty.

For what it's worth a lot of younger ones are quite capable of screwing things up themselves because they want to do what THEY want to do and 'stuff you oldies and your rules and laws...'

They'll learn eventually - and 'fix' all the 'screw-up' made by the older people.
Yeah right, like THATS going to happen.

Me, me, me is the new battle-cry.

It'll be YOUR fault if you DON'T fix these 'screw-ups'

In the meantime get with the programme and unite for what is the common 'best'.

Now be fair. The only thing different from generations past is that they start the 'attitude' younger these days. So maybe when 'they' are old enough to be able to 'fix the screw-ups', they will still be younger than in the past. Meaning they will have more time to 'fix' the problems started by their forefathers....

**Qkkid** · 28th April 2006, 10:05

Originally Posted by hXc

It may just be young people. But the reason the young people are like this is because the older people taught us. Again, not my fault that you older people screwed things up and made the younger generation a pack of selfish, dim-witted de-generates.

Maybe if you listened to your parents a bit more you might not have the attitude you have.Just think about that statement hxc.You are old enough to take responsibility for yourself and your actions/attitudes. Get out there work hard if not get a good education ride your bike and not just in Napier ,outside your own little world.Think before you speak, im sure your parents dont like alot of your attitudes either i wonder how much red bling they give you hxc or do they only bling others?, i guess i will find out in a few posts