Letter in Saturday's Harold - Police to target motorcyclists

[Pixie]

"You can't take too many risks. I've been cut off by bloody car drivers and they're friggin' females and the people using cellphones when they're driving and that's absolutely dangerous."

They definitely shouldn't be doing that in a moving car.

[Blackbird]

REGIONAL TRANSPORT COMMITTEEReport of the Regional Transport Committee of the Waikato Regional Council held inthe Council Chambers, Environment Waikato (Waikato Regional Council) office, 1 Dec 2008

Page 8
Report of Regional Transport Committee Meeting – 1 December 20088_____________________________________________ _____________________________________________There are increasing numbers of motorcycles and crashes in the regionparticularly in the Hauraki District and the Thames Coromandel District.Waikato had the highest cost of ACC claims nationally.
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There was a piece in a recent copy of the Peninsula Post about police targeting motorcyclists on the Coro Peninsula in direct response to complaints by the public about "excessive speed" by riders in 70 km/hr and 50 km/hr restricted areas. I don't know whether there's a correlation but I've noticed a lot more police cars on the Thames coast road parked up in the little villages with their radars switched on. I don't have any issue with riding fast and safely on the open road, but speeding in built up areas does not do us a great service. I totally agree with Katman's sentiments that often, we're our own worst enemies.

I just hope that the police also take centre-line crossers to task too. This summer on the Peninsula, centre line crossing by cars has been appallingly high.

Rant over.

[PrincessBandit]

Ah, just dealing with the public on a daily basis will do all the above to anybody...

Even cops who start off as meek, mild and wanting to help everybody soon change after their dose of the public.

Of course I was nasty, suspicious and cynical right from the get-go, I by-passed all that "I'm Mr Nice and I'm here to help you" crap

Roflmao - sentence one sounded just like me when I started out as a relief teacher many many years ago. Substitute the words "dose of the belligerent high school student" for "public" and you could be talking about a completely different profession!

[swbarnett]

I don't have any issue with riding fast and safely on the open road, but speeding in built up areas does not do us a great service.

The trouble is that most of those speeding in the built up areas on the Coromandel Penninsula will be Aucklanders. Here if you don't speed in built up areas you often get passed by all and sundry. Most people can't adjust to the local culture when they get out of Auckland.

[Blackbird]

The trouble is that most of those speeding in the built up areas on the Coromandel Penninsula will be Aucklanders. Here if you don't speed in built up areas you often get passed by all and sundry. Most people can't adjust to the local culture when they get out of Auckland.

Can't comment on that as I wouldn't have a clue but it does seem a piss poor reason. However, the other thing I've noticed that seems to be prevalent is that the worst excesses seem to happen when there are a whole bunch of riders (lemmings/sheep?) together. Another compelling reason for avoiding group rides?

[scumdog]

However, the other thing I've noticed that seems to be prevalent is that the worst excesses seem to happen when there are a whole bunch of riders (lemmings/sheep?) together. Another compelling reason for avoiding group rides?

Nah, just pick the group you ride with - if you know them well you'll know if they're OK in a group ride situation.

If they behave like dicks tell 'em just that.

[Blackbird]

Nah, just pick the group you ride with - if you know them well you'll know if they're OK in a group ride situation.

If they behave like dicks tell 'em just that.

Exactly. Riding with friends you trust implicitly isn't what I call "group rides". I've always assumed group rides are those which aren't restricted to people you either know or trust.

[swbarnett]

Can't comment on that as I wouldn't have a clue but it does seem a piss poor reason

Totally agree. All that is necessary is to recognise that you're not in your own home town and respect the local culture. There does seem to be a certain amount of the "I'm better because I'm from Auckland" attitude.

[scumdog]

Totally agree. All that is necessary is to recognise that you're not in your own home town and respect the local culture. There does seem to be a certain amount of the "I'm better because I'm from Auckland" attitude.

I try to balance it with an "I'm not from Auckland and feel sorry for those that are" attitude.

[pritch]

I try to balance it with an "I'm not from Auckland and feel sorry for those that are" attitude.

You and the rest of us south of the Bombays...

[swbarnett]

I try to balance it with an "I'm not from Auckland and feel sorry for those that are" attitude.

You and the rest of us south of the Bombays...

I here ya loud and clear.

I'm an Aucklander mainly for one reason - I was born here. Subsequent to that my wife was, until recently, was a student and lecturer at Auckland Uni. Also, the way my career's gone there's not much work south of the Bombays.

Auckland has it's compensations but I would move out if I could - far too crowded for my liking.