Nelson blitz on bikers...

[rustic101]

may as well hand the motorcyclists lollipops.

I predict riders may receive small packets of yellow and black jelly beans or wine gums or maybe even jet planes...

[rustic101]

So, if cops want to check vehicles for compliance checks, then they need to check all vehicels that go through the check point. No letting vehicles with four wheels get off.

What they are trying to achieve is no different than past campaigns. Recently the Tasman District identified a similar issue with the heavy trade. As a result set up a road side stop and mobile target of all heavy vehicles. This was conducted in association with other professional bodies and was a huge success in both education and compliance.

Personally I love sharing the road with users that are safe, aware and complying to the rules the remainder of us meet.

Like speeding, if you comply you have nothing to fear.

[Rogue Rider]

I agree with the comments that the popo have to respond with some sort of proactive action to curve the trend of motorcyclists smashing themselves up and dieing on the roads.
I am of coarse curious about the stats, as they a certainly not reflective of the norm. It would be fair in my view point that most motorcycle accidents are actually not a direct result of the motorcyclists actions. Often what is forgotten is that sometimes, frequently, evasive actions have to be applied to avoid impending accidents from other traffic or external elements such as animals.
Yes, agreed some muppets shouldn't be riding, in fact some shouldn't even be breathing, however they are so we need to get passed that.
Riders who have been off the horse for a while, most certainly should re school themselves in rider training and experience. They should choose appropriate rides and not exceed there riding ability until they are re acquainted. I have seen some atrocious riding from middle aged men+ who jump back on a bike after a 30yr absence. It's a bloody scary idea, as the bikes a different, more powerful, and they themselves aren't as sharp in the ability or reflex department, some even have vision issues.

I think popo are warranted and justified to pull riders over at random points to make a point. It does create awareness, and it does sink in. I do think that there is too much emphasis on ticketing these days over education and encouragement. When was the last time a popo gave you positive feedback, and some good advice. Mostly you get silent treatment, a barreling, or just an arrogant ignoramus.
Just because one is in law enforcement doesn't nec mean you have to be a dick all your life about things lol.

Memo to all the old bastards and re entrants into riding...... Take care out there, and don't be a bloody statistic. Stay alive and keep your family happy......... or tortured, whichever you are.

To Learners, take time to learn, listen to sound advice, bigger isn't better, unless your a puppet and waiting for a hand to thrust up your jaxi. Go on group rides, and follow lines and good riding educate. If you want to ride good, learn from someone who is good, not a dick with a bike full of viagra. If you do, you'll blow yourself all over the road.

[Corse1]

While I don't agree with just pulling over people even if they are doing no wrong, I don't know of any other way they could bring this to peoples attention as well as this has obviously done (in Nelson).

Totally agree with onearmedbandit.....what else are they supposed to do ...Nothing???

[red mermaid]

Absolute rubbish, as there is already a group in the police that in the majority stop and inspect only one type of vehicle.

This tactic is simply targetting to risk.
Motorcycle riders in Tasman district have shown from the fatal crash stats to be an at risk group, so they have made themselves a group to be checked for compliance.

Or, to put it another way, it could be argued that stopping road users for compliance checks (or breath checks) is OK, any where any time. But, if those compliance checks were just waving through a select group of road users without checking (say, drivers of European cars, or drivers with the local football club sticker in the windscreen), then that would be a corrupt practice.

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[Ixion]

Incorrect. As usual.

The legal justification for CVIU stopping trucks lies in the fact that they are checking things like log books, loading etc that are only relevant to trucks.

You are arguing (for instance) that CVIU are entitled to stop trucks driven by Maoris and ignore ones driven by whites . Which would be illegal.

Motorcycles have little that specifically distinguishes them from cars. One example that would be legal would be to stop all motorcycles to check engine capacity,whilst ignoring cars since motorcyclists have limits on engine size and cars do not.

But, as we know that you make the law up as you go along to suit yourself, such minor bagatelle as the Human Rights Act , Bill of Rights, etc are no doubt of no interest to you .

[Coldrider]

I predict riders may receive small packets of yellow and black jelly beans or wine gums or maybe even jet planes...

Quite a few years ago there was a campaign where lollipops were handed out by popos to motorists who displayed good judgement. Maybe you did not receive one to suck off.

[Roadsafe Nelson]

Whilst out riding with friends a couple of months ago, we were pulled over at one such checkpoint in the Whangamoas (heading towards Blenheim). Motorcyclists were taken to the side, our rego/wof/riding gear & licences were checked. Bottled water & refreshments were offered.

In attendance at the checkpoint were a variety of people. The Police, The Tasman District Council & the local Nelson Injury Prevention Office for ACC. They were interested in collecting information from the motorcyclists stopped, on what our concerns were when riding on the road.. eg: gravel/road works & lack of signage, other road users, road conditions etc. Feedback from this collected information is to be handed onto the relevant organisations concerned.. eg: roading companies

As a result of the information collected a flier has just been released locally with relevant contact details available for motorcyclists to contact & raise their concerns to.

To note.. ALL traffic was stopped at this checkpoint & ALL licence's/rego & wofs were checked, not just motorcyclists.

Feedback I heard from the TDC was that a very high proportion of the bikers stopped were correctly licenced & had current rego/wofs.. & were wearing appropriate gear.

Personally I felt heard & respected by the people conducting the checkpoint.

[Coldrider]

This tactic is simply targetting to risk.

So out of the motorcyclists killed, most had an invalid class of licence, and/ or had no Wof for this tactic to work, just as well no thinking is involved.

edit, reads like being a middle aged man on a motorcycle in the Nelson district is a going to have you stopped on the roadside as well.

[Ixion]

Personally, I would see nothing wrong with that. All vehicles were being stopped. Police offered advice relevant to the vehicle . They might equally have offered (for example) advice about child restraints to people with children in the car. Or advice about towing trailers to those doing so.

A different matter to singling out a specific class of road user for "blitzing" .

They had a thing like thta up here about a year ago, and they were dishing out free hi-viz jackets. I actually went out riding looking for them to try to score a free jacket (got to be worth something on Trademe). Couldn't find the bastards. Never there when you want them eh,

[oldrider]

Well frankly I don't mind if they pull me up for a routine check etc because everything is in order anyway and I gave up being a pisshead long long ago!

Now if they could just tow one of those little coffee trailers (with a toilet attached of course) around so that we could kill two or three birds with one stone, it could probably be quite a social event!

Somebody we know would make a great "barista", he could wear his skull mask and tassels just to add to the atmosphere and hand out hot "blueberry" muffins as a token of goodwill.

Yep, I am warming to this idea, the more I think about it, the more I like it!

I just can't wait for this new initiative to spread on down this way!

[Ixion]

Actually, that flyer (in 'Roadsafes' post) is excellent. First class work, Tasman District Council.

I will pass a copy on to Auckland City Council, and tell them to get off their arses and emulate it.

[rustyrobot]

Now if they could just tow one of those little coffee trailers (with a toilet attached of course) around so that we could kill two or three birds with one stone, it could probably be quite a social event!

I can just see it now... the call goes out on kiwibiker and every rider in the district turns up for a free coffee

[Ixion]

I'm not at all sure that the one we had up here didn't have coffee as well as free jackets. I was really pissed off that I missed out.

[dipshit]

I am of coarse curious about the stats, as they a certainly not reflective of the norm.

They are typical. This is what happens when you have a urban rural split.

In urban areas you have more multitable vehicle accidents in which a significant percentage is indeed the fault of a car drivers. These accidents tend to be at lower speeds and result in more minor injuries rather than the serious or fatal ones.

In rural areas it is more single vehicle motorcycle accidents and they typically happen at higher speeds. Usually a motorcycle flailing to take a corner and runs into a ditch or oncoming car. These accidents result in more of the serious injuries or fatales.

You can see in these MoT stats that 75% of motorcycle fatalities were the fault of the rider.
http://www.transport.govt.nz/researc...-Factsheet.pdf

BRONZ and the like are talking complete bullshit when they say things like "it's all the car drivers fault - our shit doesn't stink". If you are stupid enough to believe those idiots - then that's your problem. It doesn't actually make it true though no matter how many deluded motorcyclists believe it.