Response from the AA

**p.dath** · 9th February 2010, 10:17

Originally Posted by caseye

p,dath has meet with some AA officials, they have indicated their willingnes to talk to him as a representative of motorcyclists (I'm guessing here, as a KB member, more so than a single rider)

This comment has bothered me for a while, so let me address it. While KB does have a membership, it is not a club or association. There are no elected representatives for those members.
But I do use KB to guage peoples feelings and thoughts.

When I speak or write to people I usually say I am a "concerned motorcyclist" or that I represent myself personally but that I believe my view to be held by many other motorcyclists.

**oldrider** · 9th February 2010, 10:24

Originally Posted by Ixion

It needs mention that the AA's anti-motorcycle campaign is not limited to the ACC issue. They prompted Transit to move to charge motorcycles tolls on the Nortern Tollway thingy, and every time there is a quote in the press from an AA spokesdriod it will have a putdown or sneer against bikes. It's not just ACC, they ahve a general ban-motorcycles agenda.

Is it possible to retrieve and chronicle AA press releases, quotes etc and challenge them on their "measured" attack on motorcycles and motorcyclists?

If it is possible then can it be done and presented as a direct challenge at one or some of these meetings?

I feel these so called pillars of the AA and New Zealand motoring world need to be exposed publicly for exactly what they represent!

**Ixion** · 9th February 2010, 10:33

Originally Posted by p.dath

I agree with you Ixion.

I've actually sent a bunch of other communications to them as well with regard to some of the press they have released, but didn't feel it was worthy of creating more threads about. I only wanted to focus on the ACC issue, as I think it is the biggest. And it affects more than just motorcylists. I have much stronger feelings about ACC because of the way they have brought the changes about (actually, I've completely U-turned on this issue from my original position because of comments you made which turned out to be true!).

I primarily want to use the AA as a tool to bring about "corrective" changes at ACC. But they are like a supertanker. They have been going full speed in one direction, and it's hard to turn them around. But I've been talking to the chief navigator, and I hope I think I have sown sufficient doubt into their mind to make them question the direction they are going in.
By no means are they won over. And they certainly aren't coming out in support of motorcylists at this stage. But I take the signs that they organised meetings with National and Labour and ACC (and even invited Ulyses along) and have said they want a debate on pre-funding of ACC to be opened up, and are now looking at doing their own independent research on the issue as recognition that perhaps the ACC system we have now is not as good as the original system that was introduced. I'm really only expecting one outcome from their research, which will almost certainly bind them to a specific outcome.

Personally I'm not getting my hopes up yet, but given time I'm hoping for an improvement. Maybe with more motrcylists showing up at district meetings and the AGM will send them a signal that the membership wants a change.

I agree, and I think a two pronged attack is in order. On the one hand, even though AA are anti-motorcycle (and not likely to change soon) it is in their own interests to support a change to the prefunding model 9well, the interests of their members, anyway, which is not quite teh same thing). So we can usefully prod them in that direction, because they have more clout to help bring it about than we do, and within that narrow context , we both want the same thing. If my enemy wants something that will also benefit me, it is worth supporting him, strictly on that issue.

The other prong has to be to pin them down on their general anti-motorcycling attitude. (in fact, it sometimes seems to be anti-motorist in general). And demand that they change, or at least explicitly admit that they do not represent motorcyclists , and that they are in fact diametrically opposed to motorcyclists interests. because at present the government (and ACC), not unnaturally think that AA represent us.

So I envisage a good cop - bad cop approach. See the next but one BRONZ column in Kiwirider.

**What?** · 9th February 2010, 13:43

Sometimes I wonder if the AA knows what it's own agenda is. For example, in one edition of their magazine you find comments inferring that all vehicles older than 5 or 10 years should be off the roads (not safe, y'see...) as well as an article about someone who is in love with his Austin Westminster (or somesuch).
Of course, it could be some sort of admission that they do not represent their membership.

**caseye** · 9th February 2010, 16:48

Originally Posted by p.dath

This comment has bothered me for a while, so let me address it. While KB does have a membership, it is not a club or association. There are no elected representatives for those members.
But I do use KB to guage peoples feelings and thoughts.

When I speak or write to people I usually say I am a "concerned motorcyclist" or that I represent myself personally but that I believe my view to be held by many other motorcyclists.

Didn't mean it to disturb you there p.dath.Good points though.KB can and most definitely should be used as a gauge of bikers concerns etc all the while not being a club/group,association .

**Pixie** · 10th February 2010, 11:31

I have emailed all the lazy arse bikers I know asking them to provide their proxies.

I expect fuck all response

**p.dath** · 19th February 2010, 09:34

I had a little poke today asking me what I'm doing at the moment with regard to the AA. I only tend to post the more important things.

The Auckland AA District meeting is this Monday (22/2/2010). I plan to go along, and have "warned" the council I would like to address them. Below is what I have said to the AA Auckland District secretary.

Hi Stephen.

I plan to attend the meeting this Monday. There may be half a dozen other motorcyclist AA members with me. It will all be very friendly. :-)

Anyway, I'd like 5 minutes to address the Auckland District Council in the general section of the business to speak about ACC and pre-funding, how it affects all motorists, and to request their consideration and support for a return to the original Woodhouse principles.

3 of the AA districts are supporting a return to the original Woodhouse principles, and I would like the Auckland District to join those ranks. I've spoken with Mike Moon and Mark Stockdale on the issue, and they are investigating it further at this point in time, but the more Districts that make noise about this matter the better.

Half a dozen motorcyclists will be attending, as motorcyclists initially wore most of the press on the issue. But as I said, this is an issue for all road users, and I'll be speaking to the council from that viewpoint.

**BMWST?** · 19th February 2010, 10:01

Originally Posted by Ixion

It needs mention that the AA's anti-motorcycle campaign is not limited to the ACC issue. They prompted Transit to move to charge motorcycles tolls on the Nortern Tollway thingy, and every time there is a quote in the press from an AA spokesdriod it will have a putdown or sneer against bikes. It's not just ACC, they ahve a general ban-motorcycles agenda.

that may be so ,but if every motorcyclist whi is also an AA member stasrts to make a noise about these issues they will perhaps reconsider their position.They prolly think that "bikers" dont belong to the AA.

**caseye** · 19th February 2010, 15:59

Hey there p.dath, I know you've posted it before but could you just tell us where and when, I want to be there to stand up with you.

**p.dath** · 20th February 2010, 09:36

Originally Posted by caseye

Hey there p.dath, I know you've posted it before but could you just tell us where and when, I want to be there to stand up with you.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...post1129635770

The Auckland District meeting is on the 22nd of February 2009 at 5:15pm at the AA Centre on 419 Great South Road, Penrose.

There you go.

**Lucyloo** · 22nd February 2010, 11:47

Just bumping this thread - the meeting is tonight for anyone that can attend.
L

**p.dath** · 22nd February 2010, 11:51

Originally Posted by Lucyloo

Just bumping this thread - the meeting is tonight for anyone that can attend.
L

I'll be wearing my work clothes, so dark coloured trousers with a black style t-shirt with an "IFM" logo on the front. Come say Hi if your a biker.

UPDATE:
The secretary tells me that

The meeting room is at the northern corner of the building.

They have said that the chairman will invite me to speak during the general business section of the meeting (which is near the end).