MoT targeting motorcyclists for new restrictions

**Ixion** · 27th July 2006, 01:19

OK.It gets worse. Here's some more of their "initiatives"

Motorcycle safety:
• Motorcycling is a very high risk activity compared with other travel modes.
• Motorcycle registrations have increased recently in New Zealand.
• Motorcycling is often promoted by the lobby as being an economical and environmentally clean
form of transport. The cost of crashes shows that, in fact, it is a highly subsidised form of transport,
with other road users providing that subsidy.
• The Accident Compensation Corporation could consider significant increases in motorcycle and
moped premiums to more closely reflect their claims and in order to recoup their costs.
• The minimum age for access to moped and motorcycle learner permits should be increased from
15 to 17 years and engine size for novice drivers should be reduced from 250cc to 125cc in line
with international best practice.
• The fitment of twin dedicated daytime running lights using LED technology should be required on all
new two-wheeled motor vehicles in line with international best practice.
• Best practice in road environment treatments needs to be identified, particularly at junctions.

Fromthe MoT website
http://www.transport.govt.nz/assets/...een-report.pdf

**Gremlin** · 27th July 2006, 03:13

Best practice in road environment treatments needs to be identified, particularly at junctions.

While most of that is isn't worth spank's mb's... does this mean they will stop amusing themselves by drawing everywhere in white paint at intersections??

Maybe one of the honchos themselves came a cropper and found it "dangerous". Perhaps they might also stop arranging manhole covers in stupid fashions, like, where my wheels are.

Pity the auckland one went past (like they wanted). Have a client tomorrow arvo, so doubt I'll ever even have a chance on the Hamilton event.

MoT's stupidity is beyond belief. I keep thinking they are bad, yet they manage to out-do my anticipations every time. As many have said, our fatalies and injuries, as a percentage are FALLING. Sometimes I think only workshops in dark alleys will work...

**jazbug5** · 27th July 2006, 03:29

This stuff is insane... but do you suppose they're pulling a fast one here? That old politician's trick of coming out with a raft of absurdities that no-one wants & everyone gets in a fury about... at which point, they make a placatory gesture by conceding a couple of points but still screwing you over. (Just slightly less vigourously, and with a little more lube, so to speak.)

**Lou Girardin** · 27th July 2006, 08:13

Ther's a raft of 'maybes' in there. Do we now create policy based on that?
Or do we follow international best practice and deal with real issues?

**James Deuce** · 27th July 2006, 09:10

Has anyone contacted MAG and asked for help?

**Squeak the Rat** · 27th July 2006, 09:49

Good question Jim2. Definitely worth seeking advice as they appear to have done some bloody good work in the UK.

On another note - does anyone know where the injuries stats come from in relation to road safety? Is this from ACC? and if so, aren't farm bikes included in the same group as road bikes?

**cowpoos** · 27th July 2006, 10:24

Originally Posted by kickingzebra

And in that nasty little booklet, it advocates the use of controlling the power to weight ratio of motorcycles!!
I know this won't bother the honda riders too much, but I don't want to buy a 16 horsepower single cylinder gsxr 1000!!
Go to the websites, read the info, come along and argue!!

how the hell is a little NZ government gunna tell the all the factoryies to make bikes heavier....they will be told to get fucked...it won't happen!!

**Blackbird** · 27th July 2006, 10:58

Pleased to see so many KB'ers making submissions on the website - well done

**vtec** · 27th July 2006, 11:07

Well, if they keep making up new and stupid rules, then there will be too many people out there doin' the runner, and the public might start to notice that the cops aren't catching most of them. If you are smart about it you can get away on a minichopper if you are mildly clever as one of the bikey cops on this site can attest to. Also it's easier to get away from a car.

**James Deuce** · 27th July 2006, 11:16

Can I please have some contributions for an email I'm going to send to MAG about how to address these issues constructively?

I need details of the MoT discussion points, ideas that people have come up with counter the discussion points, and ideas for how to get motorcycles included in the general transport plan for NZ, specifically as congestion busters. I see that the discussion groups are looking to counter our argument that they are more ecologically friendly. That shouldn't be our main selling point as it is easy to prove that most modern motorcyles are not as fuel efficient as they should be.

24 hours at most please folks.

Please post in this thread.

**Ixion** · 27th July 2006, 11:28

Originally Posted by cowpoos

how the hell is a little NZ government gunna tell the all the factoryies to make bikes heavier....they will be told to get fucked...it won't happen!!

Not how it will work. Any vehicle used on NZ roads has to pass compliance before it can be registered, They just impose a limit on power:weight. Check the manufacturers figures, if the bike is too powerful for its weight, it simply won't be allowed to be registered.

Which means they won't be imported

BMWs will probably be OK, GSXR - just won't be able to buy one.

Existing ones will no doubt be grandfathered in, until they crash and are written off

**Ixion** · 27th July 2006, 11:31

Some source documents:

Cabinet briefing paper:

http://www.transport.govt.nz/assets/...0-Strategy.pdf
2010 Startegy review paper
http://www.transport.govt.nz/assets/...een-report.pdf

Scarey stuff.

**Ozzie** · 27th July 2006, 11:32

Originally Posted by Ixion

• The minimum age for access to moped and motorcycle learner permits should be increased from
15 to 17 years and engine size for novice drivers should be reduced from 250cc to 125cc in line
with international best practice.

That is complete bollox, and typical of them.

17 years might be international trend, but not coupled with engine size restrictions. OZ and a number of other countries have introduced a power to weight restriction on cars and bikes for L and P plate riders. Some learners in OZ are allowed to ride 400's, cause they are big fat buggers, and with them on a 250 it wont go anywhere near the 60k's residential speed limit.

What credentials do they have to supply for their so called "Facts and International Trends"?

**Ozzie** · 27th July 2006, 12:07

I have added the first wave to the calendar, leaving 4pm, please indicate there if you will be coming with us.

If there is going to be a second wave (for after work people), someone start another event there so we can have a list/s of all attendees.