Wellington ride media release

**Hitcher** · 8th November 2007, 08:43

This just appeared on www.newsroom.co.nz's feed. It's also on www.scoop.co.nz.

Well done Colapop!

Wire-Rope Traffic Barriers Must Go

Press Release by Cheesecutter Campaign Group at 9:08 am, 08 Nov 2007

Motorcyclists are angry about the increasing use of wire-rope barriers on New Zealand's highways. They believe that these barriers are being used in the face of growing international evidence that clearly shows these barriers threaten the lives of motorcyclists.

"A recent death on Auckland's southern motorway where a rider and his motorcycle were cut in half by a wire-rope barrier has unified and incensed New Zealand's biker community," spokesperson Col Allen said. "Bikers are tired of having their safety concerns ignored by regulators and traffic planners. Enough is enough.

"We want urgent action to prevent further unnecessary biker deaths and injuries. Bikers are urging our traffic safety policy-makers to take heed of European safety studies about wire-rope barriers and take steps to remove all barriers where these put at risk the lives, health and safety of motorcyclists. Countries like the United Kingdom have banned the use of these barriers. Others have placed significant restrictions as to where and how they can be used," he said.

"As a minimum we are asking for a moratorium on the construction of wire-rope barriers until officials have had a chance to examine what we believe is compelling evidence and develop traffic barrier options that are safer for bikers.

"Any deaths or injuries caused by wire-rope barriers are avoidable. We believe that our transport officials and traffic planners use wire-rope barriers primarily because they are comparatively cheap and easy to erect.

"We want to work alongside the relevant road safety organisations to develop solutions that reduce road accidents and the personal deaths and injuries that result. Meanwhile we want no more wire-rope barriers on New Zealand's roads," spokesperson Col Allen said.

ENDS

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Story Classifications:

Industries: Transport
Planes, Trains & Automobiles:

**Paul in NZ** · 8th November 2007, 08:51

Bloody good effort

**MSTRS:Me** · 8th November 2007, 08:53

Good one Col. Exposure and good exposure like that is perfect

**Stickchick** · 8th November 2007, 08:56

Awesome write up Col!!!!!

**janno** · 8th November 2007, 08:59

Well Done Col! Looking forward to coming down and supporting the cause this weekend. Hopefully I can get a few from NP along as well, there's a ride on tonight which I'll take your flyer along to.

**Zukin** · 8th November 2007, 09:08

Yep what they said, well done Col

Now we just need everyone to support this, and dont think that because you live outside of the main centres that it wont affect you, because it will!!!

They are starting to out these up in rural areas now!

There is about 300m of it just North of Masterton (at Mt Bruce), instead of the usual steel barriers they place on the side of the roads

Cheers

**Trudes** · 8th November 2007, 09:19

Good stuff Col, you the man!!

**Fatjim** · 8th November 2007, 09:31

And not a single mention of hugs or cake.

**James Deuce** · 8th November 2007, 09:40

Good stuff big fella. Hints at a desire to make this a proper issue rather than just one protest ride.

**Nasty** · 8th November 2007, 09:44

Good release ... I also like that this is more than one ride .. but taking the issue to another level.

**BarBender** · 8th November 2007, 11:09

Originally Posted by Jim2

Good stuff big fella. Hints at a desire to make this a proper issue rather than just one protest ride.

+1
Malo Col.

**chanceyy** · 8th November 2007, 11:17

awesome work Col ..

**crashe** · 8th November 2007, 12:05

Originally Posted by Hitcher

This just appeared on www.newsroom.co.nz's feed. It's also on www.scoop.co.nz.

Well done Colapop!

Wire-Rope Traffic Barriers Must Go

Press Release by Cheesecutter Campaign Group at 9:08 am, 08 Nov 2007

Motorcyclists are angry about the increasing use of wire-rope barriers on New Zealand's highways. They believe that these barriers are being used in the face of growing international evidence that clearly shows these barriers threaten the lives of motorcyclists.

"A recent death on Auckland's southern motorway where a rider and his motorcycle were cut in half by a wire-rope barrier has unified and incensed New Zealand's biker community," spokesperson Col Allen said. "Bikers are tired of having their safety concerns ignored by regulators and traffic planners. Enough is enough.

"We want urgent action to prevent further unnecessary biker deaths and injuries. Bikers are urging our traffic safety policy-makers to take heed of European safety studies about wire-rope barriers and take steps to remove all barriers where these put at risk the lives, health and safety of motorcyclists. Countries like the United Kingdom have banned the use of these barriers. Others have placed significant restrictions as to where and how they can be used," he said.

"As a minimum we are asking for a moratorium on the construction of wire-rope barriers until officials have had a chance to examine what we believe is compelling evidence and develop traffic barrier options that are safer for bikers.

"Any deaths or injuries caused by wire-rope barriers are avoidable. We believe that our transport officials and traffic planners use wire-rope barriers primarily because they are comparatively cheap and easy to erect.

"We want to work alongside the relevant road safety organisations to develop solutions that reduce road accidents and the personal deaths and injuries that result. Meanwhile we want no more wire-rope barriers on New Zealand's roads," spokesperson Col Allen said.

ENDS

All the MP's from all political parties get the 'newsroom' media release email, so they’ll get to read this.