Glass microspheres on road marking, Tauranga, and letter to TCC

[Tunahunter]

Today I saw glass microspheres used on new road markings and how these are a danger to bikers. These were on the corner of McLean St and The Strand, downtown Tauranga. I rang the Tauranga City Council and reported the hazard at around 9.30 am today.

I have also written a letter to the council, note the reference to council liability. I found the idea of liability often moved mountains when I worked in the corporate world.



I am posting this as a record of Tauranga City Council's knowledge of the hazard in case any local bikers comes to grief on the glass marbles.

I'll bet you were a wise and wiley operator too - good on you

[riffer]

If you don't tell us, don't be surprised that we don't know.

I still think that this is something McSacs could take up on a national level though, so that it doesn't come down to individual operators in individual companies taking

Enforcing installation practises again comes down to enforcement issues that MSAC cannot touch... but they can spend money on 'research' so maybe if it is identified as something that is an environmental issue to our safety then funds may be available to 'prove' the case.

As per their terms of reference MSAC cannot spend the money on enforcing existing systems standards, only on research or actual improvement.

[Smifffy]

Enforcing installation practises again comes down to enforcement issues that MSAC cannot touch... but they can spend money on 'research' so maybe if it is identified as something that is an environmental issue to our safety then funds may be available to 'prove' the case.

As per their terms of reference MSAC cannot spend the money on enforcing existing systems standards, only on research or actual improvement.

I was thinking more along the lines of education, rather than enforcement. I thought education was within their terms of reference.

As you suggest I wouldn't be surprised if their focus was more enforcement oriented than anything else.

[riffer]

As you suggest I wouldn't be surprised if their focus was more enforcement oriented than anything else.

No, you've read my comment incorrectly. They are not allowed to be enforcement-oriented.

[CookMySock]

Please read here.

Just because you don't get told officially doesn't mean people aren't working hard behind the scenes to help you all.

This is in reference to the recent glass bead incident in Lower Hutt spyda alerted us to.

Attachment 234535

Mwahhh good shit! Someone got the arse for doing dangerous shit to bikers - I like!

[Old Steve]

I rode over the markings today. The excess glass beads have been removed.

I think that if everyone who sees excess glass beads on the road should:

Ring their local council and report the incident, suggesting that the council and contractor might be liable if a motorcyclist or bicyclist were to be injured.

Confirm the report in writing, again suggesting that the council and contractor might be liable if a motorcyclist or bicyclist were to be injured.

I have found, after years working in an large international company, that the suggestion of liability is a great motivator for action. I was an adult trainer working through Africa, Middle East and Asia, and country managers would claim they could not afford to have their staff trained. My response was, "But can you afford not to have your staff trained, consider the liability you would face if ...." Worked every time.

[Smifffy]

Mwahhh good shit! Someone got the arse for doing dangerous shit to bikers - I like!

Not got the arse:- Disciplinary action

This could be anything, from a verbal/written warning to an unpaid day off or a paid remedial training course....

[Swoop]

Got a pic of what they look like?

Perhaps the same as here:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...post1130006614

[C.Linnell]

Nice work to all involved.

More needs to be done though. I'm not sure what it's like around the country, but in Auckland the white markings are close to invisible in the wet... and ridiculously slippy too. It's a bit offensive actually.