Why the WRB campaign is going nowhere.

**cowboyz** · 29th June 2008, 21:26

Originally Posted by Tank

Its really funny that Katman is going to cop more shit (again) in this thread than the five ATNR's riders that lost their license. Yet he is the one that is trying to get bikers to a position where they are seen in a more positive light by people.

Maybe - if more people listed to him (a little) *god forbid* and made honest attempts to ride better (better not meaning faster) - then:

a) People on bikes will be looked on in a better light by people
b) More of us will make it to the end of the year.

When I've talked to people about cheesecutters - almost without fail they say that "ohh the guy was going 150+kph" - The riders speed is the factor that they focus on - not the issue of the barriers themselves. Maybe if we are seen in a better light people may start giving a shit that the barriers are bad for bikers.

point noted that dangerous riding attracts more attention than responsible riding but how do you change the image by sitting back and trashing the efforts of so many to put safe riding into the public eye. I lead the experienced group on the chopper ride in Palmy on the weekend and it was fantastic to see so many bikes show up (in very dodgey weather) and all behaving themselves. Was also good to see the general public pointing at the bikes running through town.

Originally Posted by Katman

Do you truly believe that?

I don't.

You cant make eveyone ride responsibly. There will always be the rogues out there. What you can do is organise public group rides and promote safe riding in the public eye.

Originally Posted by MSTRS

One hand washes the other. If you truly want to see bikers 'clean up their image', then organise some public rallies etc to promote this. If you are solely interested in sitting at your keyboard slagging the efforts of others on their chosen platform, then you are not doing any favours for any 'biker issue'.
Stand up and be counted (in the only way that has a chance of working), or shut the fuck up.

exactly. And if rogues do attend rides and ride like dickheads then it is up to the group to stand up and say it is not acceptable. Peer pressure is the only way to get the message through.

Originally Posted by The Lone Rider

I haven't and don't plan on signing it.

Accidents happen, injuries don't need to. When I see majority of people with bikes not doing stupid things on their bikes, then I'd support it.

You can complain about metal nails spilt on the floor cutting into your feet at work, but if you refuse to wear the boots they tell you that you are suppose to wear you haven't much of a position to argue.

So you are saying the majority of people you see riding are doing stupid things? Why dont you put numbers on that. How many people have you seen riding in the last month and how many were being irresponsible? I ride with all sorts of groups all the time and out of the (fuck knows but shitloads) of people I have ridden with I would have less than a handful of dickheads I have run into.

As for the nails on the floor thing. If someone is strutting round saying how cool they are that they are not wearing nails then do you let them know that is not ok or do you throw more nails on the floor?

**The Lone Rider** · 29th June 2008, 21:29

Originally Posted by cowboyz

point noted that dangerous riding attracts more attention than responsible riding but how do you change the image by sitting back and trashing the efforts of so many to put safe riding into the public eye. I lead the experienced group on the chopper ride in Palmy on the weekend and it was fantastic to see so many bikes show up (in very dodgey weather) and all behaving themselves. Was also good to see the general public pointing at the bikes running through town.

I don't - points for making some effort to making things safer but as said I think there are other ways to go and as I said at the Westpac Run when asked to sign it "I have a different opinion on them so I won't be signing".

Good tag: here we fckn go again

**cowboyz** · 29th June 2008, 21:37

Oh right. So what you are saying is that a protest against the cheesecutters, people coming together all over the country involving the media and the general public to raise awareness is not doing enough so you might as well not support it. Maybe if we changed the world in 7 days it would be too long a wait and you wouldnt support that either?

**DEATH_INC.** · 29th June 2008, 21:37

I would like to have the choice as to where and when I put myself at risk.
A basic human right.

**98tls** · 29th June 2008, 21:42

Fwiw tonight on teletxt page 136 theres a mention "a new study is being carried out to get a better idea of what kinds of barriers are best for motorcyclists".

**Maha** · 29th June 2008, 21:43

Originally Posted by cowboyz

You cant make eveyone ride responsibly. There will always be the rogues out there. What you can do is organise public group rides and promote safe riding in the public eye.

exactly. And if rogues do attend rides and ride like dickheads then it is up to the group to stand up and say it is not acceptable. Peer pressure is the only way to get the message through.

It was asked of me after our 500k plus ride yesterday, ''why didnt I go faster at times''? there was no reason to, I kept to around 100/110 on open clear rode, to keep everyone together. And then I was asked '' why didnt you pass the cars on SH2''? um, because of the Double Yellow Lines? '' but there were no cars coming''..... I dont care, I wont pass on double yellow's. I know plenty who do. I didnt even take advantage of passing lanes. My main concern was to keep everyone together and, we made the whole ride in good time and on time at the other end. Cant ask for better than that.

**Headbanger** · 29th June 2008, 21:44

Originally Posted by 98tls

Fwiw tonight on teletxt page 136 theres a mention "a new study is being carried out to get a better idea of what kinds of barriers are best for motorcyclists".

Big fluffy ones.....

**DEATH_INC.** · 29th June 2008, 21:45

Originally Posted by Headbanger

Big fluffy ones.....

A line of sheep?

**98tls** · 29th June 2008, 21:49

Originally Posted by DEATH_INC.

A line of sheep?

No good,my old man hit a few of them on an old 1100 Katana many years ago on the inland rd in Nth Cant,big mess and it hurt.

**cowboyz** · 29th June 2008, 21:56

I get what you are saying. I designed the route for PN to some of the tightest roads around the area. Firstly because I really enjoy the tight stuff and secondly to make sure the speeds come down. The weather was the great leveler with everyone volunteering to ride alot slower but as lead I sat on 100k and let everyone else follow.

I really think one of the big obsticles is that people think "ride responsibly" means "ride like a nana" I say it all the time but speed it not a problem. The problem is the image. To clean up the image all you have to do is exercise a little restraint in built up areas, Dont do stunts in town, and be respectful of other drivers while lanesplitting/passing on the open road (which includes passing on yellows (big no no) Besides, I dont see the point in passing on yellows. It takes about 3 seconds to get past a car and (on a big bike anyhow) a very short stretch of road to do it. Just wait for the next short striaght. I dont pass on yellow and dont find myself getting stuck behind anything.

All in all, what I am saying is take it to the backroads. There is plenty of fun to be had away from watchful eyes.

**The Lone Rider** · 29th June 2008, 22:00

Originally Posted by 98tls

Fwiw tonight on teletxt page 136 theres a mention "a new study is being carried out to get a better idea of what kinds of barriers are best for motorcyclists".

That is something good, so there may be some results

Originally Posted by Maha

It was asked of me after our 500k plus ride yesterday, ''why didnt I go faster at times''? there was no reason to, I kept to around 100/110 on open clear rode, to keep everyone together. And then I was asked '' why didnt you pass the cars on SH2''? um, because of the Double Yellow Lines? '' but there were no cars coming''..... I dont care, I wont pass on double yellow's. I know plenty who do. I didnt even take advantage of passing lanes. My main concern was to keep everyone together and, we made the whole ride in good time and on time at the other end. Cant ask for better than that.

Someone buy this man a beer.

**Robbo** · 29th June 2008, 22:14

Originally Posted by Maha

It was asked of me after our 500k plus ride yesterday, ''why didnt I go faster at times''? there was no reason to, I kept to around 100/110 on open clear rode, to keep everyone together. And then I was asked '' why didnt you pass the cars on SH2''? um, because of the Double Yellow Lines? '' but there were no cars coming''..... I dont care, I wont pass on double yellow's. I know plenty who do. I didnt even take advantage of passing lanes. My main concern was to keep everyone together and, we made the whole ride in good time and on time at the other end. Cant ask for better than that.

Excellent response Maha and it is this attitude that has kept me out of trouble for my over forty years of motorcycling and i think that this is also what Katman is referring to in us taking responsability for our own actions and those riders around us.
There is a time and place for fast and dangerous riding and that is NOT on the public roads as they are full of many obstacles that can and will kill us if we come unstuck, even more so if it is due to our stupidity and attitude.
Ride sensible and safe and there's a very good chance that you will still be alive at 90+ to talk about "The Good Old Days" while hooning around the rest home grounds in your mobility scooters.