Where do you want to see motorcycling heading?

**oldrider** · 15th May 2010, 00:10

Originally Posted by Katman

Me, I'd like to see Motorcycling entice the numbers to it's fold that it truly deserves.

I'd like to see the Old Guard accept the fact that an increase in motorcycling numbers is not going to affect their 'hard man' image.

I'd like to see new motorcyclists, who desire to one day be the Old Guard, accept that you'll only get there by surviving.

I'd like to see Motorcycling attract the numbers required to become a political force.

I'd like motorcyclists to realise that the only way that we have a chance of becoming a political force is by becoming an accepted part of society.

I'd like to see Motorcycling grow up.

I want motorcycles to be accepted as a legitimate and normal form of transport and not some unnecessary form of fun and entertainment!

Motorcycles should also be treated equal to other road users and other road users should be made aware of their right to legitimately exist!

I believe we should be given this right regardless of anything else!

Our behaviour is always in need of improvement but that has nothing to do with the conditions of our basic rights to exist.

**Dare** · 15th May 2010, 00:51

Originally Posted by Katman

The fact that you need to ask it shows you for the halfwit you are.

I'll gladly stand up and say that Motorcycling has an inherent problem. It's up to us all to seek the solution.

If the problem is with motorcycling and not motocyclists then I suggest you are barking up the wrong tree.

Yes there is a public image problem but a forum is not the place to fix it. Make some adverts, get some sponsored training going, start a website. The word is your shellfish and you obviously feel strongly enough to make a start.

**Katman** · 15th May 2010, 07:44

Originally Posted by Dare

If the problem is with motorcycling and not motocyclists then I suggest you are barking up the wrong tree.

Yes there is a public image problem but a forum is not the place to fix it. Make some adverts, get some sponsored training going, start a website. The word is your shellfish and you obviously feel strongly enough to make a start.

The problem is that Motorcycling is not being taken seriously.

We sit around scratching our heads wondering why nothing is being achieved regarding the wire rope barrier and the ACC sagas. Hell, we can't even get the local councils to keep the roads we use in better condition.

Why? Because we make it so easy for the powers that be to view us as mere rabble.

**Drew** · 15th May 2010, 07:56

Why do we need a political voice though? What is it that makes our voice more worthy because we ride?

The bitching about the rope barriers amounted to nothing in the end.

The ACC thing on registration is still in the works, though the proposed figures have been lowered I dont think they were ever gonna be set at $700 since people would just stop paying for it.

**T.W.R** · 15th May 2010, 07:58

Originally Posted by oldrider

I want motorcycles to be accepted as a legitimate and normal form of transport and not some unnecessary form of fun and entertainment!

Motorcycles should also be treated equal to other road users and other road users should be made aware of their right to legitimately exist!

I believe we should be given this right regardless of anything else!

Our behaviour is always in need of improvement but that has nothing to do with the conditions of our basic rights to exist.

Once apon a time it was considered a legitimate & normal form of transport but sadly it was your generation and something you were part of that made it take a step backwards and deteriorate to being classed as a another form of fun and entertainment

Milkbar Cowboys & the era of Films like The Wild One (which portrayed actual events) started the rot to happen and it just snowballed from there.

Originally Posted by Katman

The problem is that Motorcycling is not being taken seriously.

Why? Because we make it easy for the powers that be to view us as mere rabble.

Brilliant from someone who has and likes people to know as he thinks it's a status symbol a bike that was portrayed as the 1st real factory produced badboys toy

**davebullet** · 15th May 2010, 08:01

Originally Posted by Katman

The problem is that Motorcycling is not being taken seriously.

We sit around scratching our heads wondering why nothing is being achieved regarding the wire rope barrier and the ACC sagas. Hell, we can't even get the local councils to keep the roads we use in better condition.

Why? Because we make it so easy for the powers that be to view us as mere rabble.

Regarding the roads, why is it other countries (so I'm told) have billiard smooth roads? Not due to a Motorcycling political party? Money. Plain and simple. They have the size / GDP to invest in their infrastructure. NZ has a #8 wire, patch it up, she'll be right attitude. Our roads reflect that.

Batting on your side, I could see how if everyone became a motorcyclist, then the pressure for better roads, education etc... would be there. But only executable if there is the money to do so.

The problem with biking now, is that it would be like forming a political party for everyone with blue eyes. Bikers have nothing in common really - just a love of biking. Even then as this thread shows, for different reasons. Trying to get people to rally together, from all walks of life, for different reasons to form a political party when there isn't really serious oppression (eg. apartheid) isn't going to happen ever.

**Pixie** · 15th May 2010, 08:21

Don't want to see it - but it will effectively be banned in NZ in 20 years

**davebullet** · 15th May 2010, 08:26

Originally Posted by Pixie

Don't want to see it - but it will effectively be banned in NZ in 20 years

Which? Katman or Motorcycling?

**peasea** · 15th May 2010, 08:27

I'd like to have roads paved with marshmallows, with butterflies hovering overhead at every turn.
I'd like the sun to shine in my garage, where everyone can come and eat scones.
I'd like to swim in money, like Scrooge McDuck, and eat pancakes with diamond encrusted cutlery.
I'd like to have fleecy-lined underwear and drape my feet in bubble wrap.
I'd like to dip my toes in honey and spread the word of peace and love to all the world's needy people.

And shoot them in the face.

**Katman** · 15th May 2010, 08:30

Originally Posted by Pixie

Don't want to see it - but it will effectively be banned in NZ in 20 years

And if that thought isn't enough to make people pull their heads out of their arses and start realising we have a problem on our hands, I don't know what is.

**Maha** · 15th May 2010, 08:32

I wanna rock and roll all night and party every day.

**oldrider** · 15th May 2010, 08:47

Originally Posted by T.W.R

Once apon a time it was considered a legitimate & normal form of transport but sadly it was your generation and something you were part of that made it take a step backwards and deteriorate to being classed as a another form of fun and entertainment

Milkbar Cowboys & the era of Films like The Wild One (which portrayed actual events) started the rot to happen and it just snowballed from there.

Brilliant from someone who has and likes people to know as he thinks it's a status symbol a bike that was portrayed as the 1st real factory produced badboys toy

True!

I agree with that and it doesn't make me feel good but I partly blame "Hollywood", just as I believe Hollywood has a big part in the anti American/Western situation in the world today!

That said, there is no need for New Zealand to have the inbred anti motorcycle attitude that it has!

That attitude has been mainly conjured up by the constant bleating of people like Mike Noon and his AA cohorts.

It was people like them that coined the phrases, "temporary New Zealander" etc and projected them at every opportunity!

Our own behaviour confirmed the notion into the public attitude as well!

**Bass** · 15th May 2010, 08:48

Originally Posted by Katman

And if that thought isn't enough to make people pull their heads out of their arses and start realising we have a problem on our hands, I don't know what is.

I tend to agree with much of what you say, but I think you have a major problem with this one.
Motorcyclists are a very disparate group.
Getting them to act in unison is like trying to herd cats.
Just to make it harder, many of them don't give a shit about the rest and have no thought beyond today.
Whether you like it or not, you have set yourself up to take at least some of the lead in this and most of us understand that your motives are great.
However, your style is often abrasive and so if you want us all singing from the same page, then some days, you are your own worst enemy.
But then, I think you already knew that and really don't give a fuck, eh?

**schrodingers cat** · 15th May 2010, 08:56

I think its always going to be difficult to achieve any sort of unified voice for motorcycling because deep within everyone of us lurks a little (sometimes more) chunk of 'fuck you'

We all ride for differing reasons and have different motivations. I suspect our DNA precludes us from riding on a bus for example.

Here in New Zealand we have effectively lost a generation to motorcycling. When I was a lad, you got a motorbike, road for a couple of years and saved to get a car. The really hard-core never botered about step 2 LOL. The introduction of Jap imports in the early 90's killed that. For 20 years now kids have stepped straight into cars.
They aren't bike aware because the've never experienced an asshole clench of seat material as someone blithly pulls out in front of them. They've never experienced the sheer joy of smelling freshly mown hay as they ride to their soul destroying job.
Those 15 year olds in 1990 are now 35 with kids and mortgages and in jobs where they make decisions about those who chose a different path. Of course there is no empathy.
I believe when they see us riding in the weekends they know we're having fun and they're not sharing it...