Ray Shearman - whaaaaaaaaat?

**James Deuce** · 29th December 2008, 08:33

Originally Posted by Goblin

On the flip side...both times I've had contact with cars on the road, it's been men. Dude opened his car door on me the first time. Second time, an old fart who'd never had a ticket or an accident in 50 years driving, pulled out of the long line of traffic and hit me head on. Ive had men try to run me off the road then flip me the bird! The only time women have pulled out or not seen me theyve been very sorry and apologetic. The men, however, have all been agressive and nasty about it.

Conversely, when an screw up of mine has ended up in court, the men have either grudgingly or impassively accepted the outcome, while the women have continued to deny ever being at the accident scene.

Stereotypes aren't what they used to be.

**Ocean1** · 29th December 2008, 08:35

Originally Posted by Goblin

On the flip side...both times I've had contact with cars on the road, it's been men.

So there were no women involved in these alleged incidences, then?

**Headbanger** · 29th December 2008, 08:43

I voted "YES" on the poll.

Plenty of idiots on bikes, Nearly ran over a few who happened to be on my side of the road on a blind corner yesterday. Unfucking believable.

And for balance, I suck as well.

**The Stranger:Me** · 29th December 2008, 08:45

Originally Posted by RantyDave

Oh, hell yes. If I were cynical I'd suggest that our ACC levies were being used to fund a PR campaign to raise our ACC levies. But then I read the bad into every situation, eh?

ACC have a stated position of taxing motorcycles off the road. It's been that way for quite some time. Why do you think we are the only mode of transport with our own category. Nothing new there.

**Big Dave** · 29th December 2008, 08:53

MNZ is a racing body isn't it?

Last time I went there were 6 people at the BRONZ meeting - where two people pretty much do all the work - (apart from the RRRS crew - respec.)

We have three options.

1 - Lots of us join and support - work for - BRONZ (or whatever) and actively fund professional activism.
2 - Bleat about the state of affairs on the internet which essentially leads to:
3 - Bend over and spread 'em.

**Goblin** · 29th December 2008, 08:58

Originally Posted by Ocean1

So there were no women involved in these alleged incidences, then?

Originally Posted by James Deuce

Conversely, when an screw up of mine has ended up in court, the men have either grudgingly or impassively accepted the outcome, while the women have continued to deny ever being at the accident scene.

Stereotypes aren't what they used to be.

True the sterotypes!
My door incident was both our faults, me for filtering and him for not checking his mirrors before opening his door. No cops involved.
Head on dude plead not guilty to Careless use causing injury. Found guilty thanks to the witnesses. Took him to Disputes tribunal to try and recover cost of helmet and repairs to leathers and he told me I was speeding and shouldn't have been on the road!

Unfuckingbelievable!

**oldrider** · 29th December 2008, 09:02

I heard this guy on the radio this morning, frankly, with friends like this guy, who needs enemies!

He is not a good advertisement for older riders either and he shouldn't be judging young riders just because he himself is out of date!

IMHO overall, his interview was a disaster for motorcycling, put him out grass.

Silly old cunt.

John.

**James Deuce** · 29th December 2008, 09:04

Originally Posted by Big Dave

MNZ is a racing body isn't it?

Last time I went there were 6 people at the BRONZ meeting - where two people pretty much do all the work - (apart from the RRRS crew - respec.)

We have three options.

1 - Lots of us join and support - work for - BRONZ (or whatever) and actively fund professional activism.

2 - Bleat about the state of affairs on the internet which essentially leads to:

3 - Bend over and spread 'em.

Tell me about it.

How do you get a committed body of people engaged and working hard in the face of an overt threat? It's quite difficult to convince the avergae Kiwi that they need to act rather than moan.

The average Kiwi motorcyclist seems to loathe the very idea that there are a bunch of road regs, let alone having to engage with the "authorities" to constructively debate a point or two.

**AD345** · 29th December 2008, 09:04

Originally Posted by Big Dave

MNZ is a racing body isn't it?

Last time I went there were 6 people at the BRONZ meeting - where two people pretty much do all the work - (apart from the RRRS crew - respec.)

We have three options.

1 - Lots of us join and support - work for - BRONZ (or whatever) and actively fund professional activism.
2 - Bleat about the state of affairs on the internet which essentially leads to:
3 - Bend over and spread 'em.

Does BRONZ just have a fund into which anyone (member or nay) can just put some dosh?

For myself, after several decades of "activism" for this cause or that I'm no longer interested in joining groups of this nature.

It kinda sucks the joy out of life y'know?

**Sparrowhawk** · 29th December 2008, 09:08

I put my vote in for "no", but like has been mentioned, the real risk is being on the same piece of asphalt with jafa's in SUV's - and commodores. Strangely, over half of the 'near misses' I've had involve those horrible holden sedan's. They all seem to think they're mark skaife, and drive like him too.

Having said that, I've had a few near misses at round-about's too, where cagers just refuse to indicate when they plan to turn right.

As far as us taking more risks, we're all guilty (eg drivers & bikers) of making the odd bad judgement call. Hands up if you've made a passing manouver that's ended with you thinking "shit that was close, maybe I should have waited". It's happened to me a few times - but always in a cage (before I got my class 6). Now that I'm on two wheels, I'm MORE careful weather I'm in the cage or on the bike.

**Big Dave** · 29th December 2008, 09:14

Originally Posted by AD345

Does BRONZ just have a fund into which anyone (member or nay) can just put some dosh?

Good point. We'll set it up.

A published plan and a 'donate' button on the web site would be a good start.

**James Deuce** · 29th December 2008, 09:15

I made two bone headed passes yesterday and thought about the likely "public image" (bring the noise) repurcussions ahead of the obvious consequences to myself if I hadn't been able to moderate the risk I'd put myself in.

How many of these accidents are utterly needless because people do the target fixated death stare?

Should we as a body devise testing and training regime that targets new and returning riders and asks for a 5 yearly re-test for all motorcyclists? Submit it to Government to show that we do get it and we want to fix it?

Because how it works at the moment isn't.