It’s wonderful to see you all here, especially those who have ridden some distance to join us. Fantastic! And a big thank you to those delegates that have joined us (or not)…
We know why we are here.
Transit and their contractors need to know as well.
We are here for one thing, and one thing only – to bring attention to un-necessary biker deaths and injury due to inappropriate barriers.
The WRB pose a real and definite concern to the motorcycle community.
We want their use in current form stopped. We want them safe for us too.
We are well aware that motorcycling can be dangerous.
We know that we figure disproportionately high in road accident/injury statistics.
We also know that the majority of these accidents are not our fault.
We pay registration like every road user.
We pay a higher ACC levy than other road users.
That is reason enough for us to figure in ALL road safety initiatives.
As we all know, the speed limit on the open road for a learner motorcyclist is 70kph. But that is another issue. However, I doubt that a learner will have the skills to avoid impact with a cheesecutter if he finds himself in such a situation. Even an experienced motorcyclist may not be able to avoid the posts and wires. The reason I mention this is that even at the moderate speed of 70kph, you have an 85% chance of losing one or more limbs, should you hit a cheesecutter. At higher speeds, figures state that 95% of all accidents involving a motorcyclist and a cheesecutter will result in dismemberment and/or death.
These figures led directly to WRB being banned in Norway, Finland, Belgium and the Netherlands. Their use is under review in many other EU countries, with lobby groups pushing for a total ban across Europe. They are subject to stringent guidelines in the US.
But here in NZ, they continue to be installed on our roads, in direct contravention of international best practice, and increasingly compromising our safety. It is stated that WRB are a safe and cost effective method of preventing head-on collisions. No-one disputes that many deaths have been avoided. BUT what is not stated is the need for a run-off area of some 3 metres separation from driving lanes to be truly effective. What is also not stated is that a WRB will not necessarily stop a heavy truck from penetrating the barrier and colliding with opposing traffic, as happened in Auckland only 2 days after the tragic death which sparked this campaign. We do not know the cause of Daniel’s accident, but we know it was the cheesecutter that killed him. In addition to being used as lane separators, these things are now being installed on the left side of many roads, effectively creating a killing zone by denying us the chance of an escape route if things go wrong. Mark my words . . . we are going to see many more motorcycle deaths due to cheesecutters, if nothing changes.
Yes, we know that money is a factor in decision making. Yes, Transit do have a budget. But ultimately the money comes from the public purse anyway, and there is ample proof that these things are not cheap. The cost of repairs or replacement after an accident, plus the ongoing costs, in ACC terms, of rehabilitation of injured motorcyclists far outweighs the initial savings in installation over a concrete barrier. Over time, cheesecutters are going to cost an unbelieveable amount of money.
Because of the motorcycle lobby group, BRONZ, Transit are well aware of our particular needs on the road, but they have continued to ignore us. However, our voice is now much louder, and collectively, with the support of the general public, we will no longer be ignored.
We are not just motorcyclists
We are sons and daughters
We are mothers and fathers
We are brothers and sisters
We are wives and husbands
We are grandparents
We are friends and co-workers
We are ordinary Kiwis
AND WE DESERVE BETTER
Bookmarks