More Transit discrimination against bikes. FIGHT BACK

[Ixion]

Rang Mr McCombs , left a voicemail about his invitation

[Ixion]

Voicemail from Mr McCombs, who suggests the evening of Dec 13, with an alternative of the evening of Dec 11.

How do those dates work for people?

I don't know about a venue. Perhaps we might be able to use the Danish House where BRONZ meetings are held, but I know knowing about how that arrangement works. Can anyone help?

[klingon]

Monday 11 or Wednesday 13 both suit me - with a slight preference for Wed 13.

Venue will depend on numbers - if only a few people are interested we could even meet in someone's living room or a cafe. I've held meetings upstairs at Poppa's Pizzas in Sandringham Rd (Kingsland end). Holds up to about 30 people and if everyone buys a slice of pizza there's no charge for the venue.

Ixion, if you'd like me to help scope venues just let me know.

[Macktheknife]

I would be keen to go along as well, keep us informed for details folks.
When is the next BRONZ meeting anyway?

[Big Dave]

Voicemail from Mr McCombs, who suggests the evening of Dec 13, with an alternative of the evening of Dec 11.

How do those dates work for people?

I don't know about a venue. Perhaps we might be able to use the Danish House where BRONZ meetings are held, but I know knowing about how that arrangement works. Can anyone help?

I'm good for either - Finn is the only one with Danish. (ironic what.)

[placidfemme]

Well I sent off an email to Peter Spies in regards to this... and this morning I recieved this response:

Thank you for your recent email.

The issue you raise of whether or not motorcycles might also be added to the classes of vehicles in the priority lanes is a matter we will consider, and will also take the opportunity to raise when we next discuss the planned operation and signing of these proposed priority lanes with the Police and with staff at Land Transport NZ.


Peter Spies
Regional Manager
Transit New Zealand
Ph: 09-368-2000 Fax: 09-368-2059

[WarlockNZ]

I'd be interested in attending this "meeting", if there one thing i know, it's that if you don't speak up, you can't winge about the outcome.

[davereid]

I got exactly the same email - I wrote back asking to be get in the loop as to any decision and its justification.

[Pixie]

Hmmm... went to Rockfield Road but couldn't find Danish House. I presume it's a house shaped like a giant pastry?

It is very important to get the correct information.
I was once told,that if my face gets cold when riding,that I should wear a Baklava under my helmet.This may work if the baklava is fresh out of the oven,but I still think it would be too messy to consider.

[M1CRO:Me]

A copy of the email that I got back from Transit on Thursday...

Thank you for your recent email.

The issue you raise of whether or not motorcycles might also be added to the classes of vehicles in the priority lanes is a matter we will consider, and will also take the opportunity to raise when we next discuss the planned operation and signing of these proposed priority lanes with the Police and with staff at Land Transport NZ.

Thank you for writing to Transit.

[judecatmad]

A copy of the email that I got back from Transit on Thursday...

Thank you for your recent email.

The issue you raise of whether or not motorcycles might also be added to the classes of vehicles in the priority lanes is a matter we will consider, and will also take the opportunity to raise when we next discuss the planned operation and signing of these proposed priority lanes with the Police and with staff at Land Transport NZ.

Thank you for writing to Transit.

Yeah, I got the same email a week or so ago. I only hope they will truly consider what they're being asked to.

[Ixion]

Just spoke to Mr McCombs about his offer of a meeting.

Change of date , he proposes Dec 14th (thursday) at 6pm

Unfortunately I can't be there , I'll be in a plane coming back from Australia.

But that's not a major, provided other people can be there.

Can I get a feeling of how many people would fairly definately be able to make that time and date (Danish House, Rockridge Rd Penrose) ?

Obviously I don't want to say "Thanks" to him if only 2 people (or worse - Noone! ) turns up!

[WRT]

Just had this reply to my email:

Good morning
Please find attached Peter's reply to your email of 21 November.

Lee Higgins
Personal Assistant
(DDI (09) 368-2004)


Transit New Zealand - A transport system that builds a better New Zealand.

And the following attachment.

BTW - I might be able to make the 14th, but I'm heading away that weekend and if I get the friday off work I'll be leaving town thurs night and wont be able to attend. Keep us posted and I'll do my best to be there.

[Sanx]

I spoke to Mr McCombs this morning about bikes being allowed to use bypass lanes or being exempt from obeying the signals. He is under the impression that bikes will filter the traffic regardless and where there are two lanes, the biker will just wait between the two cars and go on green. He has a point - it'll happen - but a better situation would be for bikes to be allowed to use the bypass lanes.

He seemed intelligent and rational on the phone, though he was rather pissed off by someone sending him a "37-page text message". I would be too, I think. Keep any protests and suggestions polite. The last thing bikers need is someone pissing off the bureaucrats that might otherwise be on our side.

His agreement to attend the BRONZ meeting is a good start. It shows a willingness to listen; something that's conspicuous by its absence on most other occasions.

Instead of just demanding that bikes be allowed to use the bypass lanes, let's think of other arrangements that might serve us as well. Exemption from having to obey the lights, for instance. It won't stop the queues on the surburban roads (only canning this ludicrous idea will do that), but it should allow bikers easier passage.

[klingon]

He seemed intelligent and rational on the phone, though he was rather pissed off by someone sending him a "37-page text message". I would be too, I think. Keep any protests and suggestions polite. The last thing bikers need is someone pissing off the bureaucrats that might otherwise be on our side.

I agree. It sounds like Mr McCombs is being polite to us and we should offer him the same courtesy.

Instead of just demanding that bikes be allowed to use the bypass lanes, let's think of other arrangements that might serve us as well. Exemption from having to obey the lights, for instance.

If bikes are exempt from having to obey the lights, then that needs to be put up on huge signs at the signals. Personally I'm not going to filter up to the lights and face the wrath of frustrated car-drivers UNLESS it's made very clear to everyone that this behaviour is being encouraged and condoned by Transit, the police, LTNZ etc.

On the other hand, if only a few of the signals will have bypass lanes, maybe we should lobby to be allowed to use them when they are available and filter up to the lights on the others!