Why not BRONZ?

[Ozzie]

In other threads recently, BRONZ has got a bagging for not being active/visible enough. Is this true?

If not, or even if true, what is behind it? Why the anti BRONZ stuff? Why the criticism?

[Motu]

It's what we do here on KB,our mission in life is to slag off at others....and yet do nothing ourselves.

[WRT]

I'd type a rebuttle, but I cant be arsed.

[James Deuce]

BRONZ are not membership focussed and I've seen little from them in the media (KR articles) that amounted to anything more than low grade mumbling about how silly the Gubmint is.

I'm not happy with the name for a start. Having "Rights" in the title makes me think "Grievance Industry", and paints a picture that motorcylists think that they need special specific rights over and above other road users.

I think that we need to stop trying to reinvent the wheel, look to another organisation that has a successful methodology for becoming part of the solution rather than antagonising those who we need to build support from. Then we need to hitch ourselves to the coat tails of an existing lobby group suchs as (gasp) the AA.

Personally I think that Ulysses would be a better lobby group as they have better National penetration, members who are involved in Government, and members who are a great deal less confronting than some of the people in BRONZ. I've had a bit to do with BRONZ in a previous incarnation, and despite the die back in regional representation over the last 15 years, the attitude of "entitlement" doesn't seem to have dissipated, plus anyone who doesn't slither up and praise them wholeheartedly is an "AH" who can "fuckoff".

The Unionist lingo and belligerent personal attitudes are not really something I'd want to be associated with, particularly in a voluntary capacity.

[Deano]

It's what we do here on KB,our mission in life is to slag off at others....and yet do nothing ourselves.

Mr Cynical - I agree it's hard not to be at times though.

But, not everyone is complacent.

One of the good things about this forum, despite the 'slagging off , is that it raises awareness of the issues that motorcyclists face.

I'm sure the 'workshops' would have had a lot less motorcyclists attending if this forum wasn't here.

So - WHO IS COMING TO THE MASTERTON WORKSHOP ON THE 7TH ?

[Finn]

Write a letter to John Banks. He'd kick some arse and he pissed at the momement. His Harley got nicked!

[Paul in NZ]

Write a letter to John Banks. He'd kick some arse and he pissed at the momement. His Harley got nicked!

How much you want for it bro?

[The Stranger:Me]

In other threads recently, BRONZ has got a bagging for not being active/visible enough. Is this true?

Yeah it is true.
Several from here (myself included) have joined recently and are trying to change that. Unfortunately we are all volunteers and have work, mortgages, families and love to ride too. Always love to have more help.

Why the anti BRONZ stuff? Why the criticism?

It is the old Winston Peters syndrome, he is always at his best when he doesn't have to try and be constructive.
It is easier to sit on the outside knocking than get off your butt and work within to effect the necessary change.

[Hitcher]

Hmmm. Using Ulysses as a hook to do some lobbying and raise public awareness of (real) biker issues makes some sense. As long as this process doesn't become unwieldy because of organisational structural issues. The purpose of this is not to run a democracy, like the Palestinian People's Front (or the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, for that matter).

I can't make Masterton on the 7th but I'm happy to help prep those who are considering this journey.

[Hitcher]

It is easier to sit on the outside knocking than get off your butt and work within to effect the necessary change.

Sometimes. There are other times when a clean slate and no long-established agendas and baggage has some appeal.

[Ozzie]

To take the point of a historically bad rep (please don't read anything into it, it wasn't a slag), add to that the dire need for some action now, is BRONZ not a potential avenue?

Perhaps bolster BRONZ's reputation, and bikers in the process, form alliances (respectful ones) with the likes of AA. Join up rather than compete with Ulysses, AMC and the like.

Old wood, and baggage maybe difficult, a new entity and reinventing the wheel is likely to be as well.

I think a united front, with a well formed and respected political presence is the only way forward. Being beside AA and government types could be seen as an advantage, but having them as our voice runs the risk that is associated with Ministers in general, they will say what they think is important, not what we think is important.

[The Stranger:Me]

BRONZ are not membership focussed and I've seen little from them in the media (KR articles) that amounted to anything more than low grade mumbling about how silly the Gubmint is.

I'm not happy with the name for a start. Having "Rights" in the title makes me think "Grievance Industry", and paints a picture that motorcylists think that they need special specific rights over and above other road users.

I think that we need to stop trying to reinvent the wheel, look to another organisation that has a successful methodology for becoming part of the solution rather than antagonising those who we need to build support from. Then we need to hitch ourselves to the coat tails of an existing lobby group suchs as (gasp) the AA.

Personally I think that Ulysses would be a better lobby group as they have better National penetration, members who are involved in Government, and members who are a great deal less confronting than some of the people in BRONZ. I've had a bit to do with BRONZ in a previous incarnation, and despite the die back in regional representation over the last 15 years, the attitude of "entitlement" doesn't seem to have dissipated, plus anyone who doesn't slither up and praise them wholeheartedly is an "AH" who can "fuckoff".

The Unionist lingo and belligerent personal attitudes are not really something I'd want to be associated with, particularly in a voluntary capacity.

Hey Jim2,
You see my invite to you Come on, make a change.

[James Deuce]

I'm not interested CaN. But thanks for considering me. As I said I'd rather do than whinge, and BRONZ don't seem to be interested in anything other than confrontation.

[Ozzie]

I'm not interested CaN. But thanks for considering me. As I said I'd rather do than whinge, and BRONZ don't seem to be interested in anything other than confrontation.

With respect Jim2, if there are no BRONZ in Welly, and FA of them active elsewhere, why not pay your $20 and make a difference?

You are in a possition to mold the Wellington arm how you want it, and being in Wellington are the obvious group to deal with the government I would have thought.

What is the alternative? Make a KB political arm? Make another group to co-ordinate the rest of the Biker groups, KB included?

While this sounds a piss take, it truely is not.

I want to see action, I want to be heard, I demand bikers our interests, suggestions and opinions are considered and taken seriously, and, I am prepared to be involved with what ever to make that happen.

I do not however wish to see this fit in with the usual Jo Public response being a whole swag of disjointed random and individual submissions that is absolutely too easy for the government to dismiss.

[Ixion]

Ulysses are not a suitable lobby group fro motorcyclists in general because, by definition, they exclude a very large proportion of motorcyclists. (ie those who are not old).

Also , they are SO old. And conservative. And po-faced.

I think that putting forward an organsiation with an average membership age of about 120 (OK, should not be rude. But they ARE so OLD), is the exact wrong way to go.

We need more young people. Not more old farts.