My response to the proposed strategy by MAG-NZ

[oneofsix]

The momentum was lost soon after it was gained.
Sadly (and I sincerely mean this) the bikoi (like the WRB protest ride in Auckland) was a one hit wonder, never to be repeated. The once huge support for either is just not there anymore.The word acceptance comes to mind.

sadly a kind of kiwi thing. It like we collectively say we spoke up now lets not make a fuss, don't want to be tall poppies etc. Or to go with my avatar "you will be assimilated and must act as part of the hive".

[CookMySock]

There was a time when there was momentum on "our" side. Sadly that time is now gone.

Sounds like we went backwards rather than forwards then.

[Maha]

sadly a kind of kiwi thing. It like we collectively say we spoke up now lets not make a fuss, don't want to be tall poppies etc. Or to go with my avatar "you will be assimilated and must act as part of the hive".

Seemd that way at the begining of 10' which is why a small but committed group started up the Auckland Action Group. We tried to keep the momentum up. There were a few stones around but not enough moss (if you know what I mean) As each event rolled around, the numbers that turned out got smaller. We needed some sort of formality, enter MAG.
If it weren't for the MAG committe turning up to each event they organised, numbers would have been pretty dismal to be honest.
I now think the members that joined MAG, thought that MAG were going to shove it up the establishment in good ole' Kiwi fashion, not so.
I certainly thought that was what it was all about. I was wrong.

Have a look at the Biker Rights forum on here, that will give you some idea of the 'who cares' anymore. Its the most non used forum on here.

[allycatz]

Seemd that way at the begining of 10' which is why a small but committed group started up the Auckland Action Group. We tried to keep the momentum up. There were a few stones around but not enough moss (if you know what I mean) As each event rolled around, the numbers that turned out got smaller. We needed some sort of formality, enter MAG.
If it weren't for the MAG committe turning up to each event they organised, numbers would have been pretty dismal to be honest.
I now think the members that joined MAG, thought that MAG were going to shove it up the establishment in good ole' Kiwi fashion, not so.
I certainly thought that was what it was all about. I was wrong.

Have a look at the Biker Rights forum on here, that will give you some idea of the 'who cares' anymore. Its the most non used forum on here.

Sadly 'apathy' can be one of the biggest dangers of them all

[MisterE]

Interesting read. From my perspective if we look at the actions that motorcyclists have taken in the past we have built up a head of steam really quickly and all run off to Wellington to vent our displeasure... and that's it. Right now, the powers that be know that all they have to do is wait a few weeks and it'll be yesterdays news.

Whatever we do next we need to understand that this is a marathon, not a sprint. I like the idea of a fallen bikers day as it puts us in the limelight regularly. We could get on the news and talk about all of the wonderful things that the NZ government has done for us to help improve safety.

In comparison, another bikoi is another sprint. We spend a day converging on Wellington, achieve five minutes of fame on telly and then go home.

+1 for fallen bikers day.

What other marathon actions could we take?

[Katman]

A 'fallen bikers day' would serve no purpose other than trying to make us feel better about ourselves.

The public would just see it as further reinforcement of the idea that motorcycles are dangerous and motorcyclists are temporary NZers.

We have to prove that motorcycles aren't dangerous.

[Tony W]

A 'fallen bikers day' would serve no purpose other than trying to make us feel better about ourselves.

The public would just see it as further reinforcement of the idea that motorcycles are dangerous and motorcyclists are temporary NZers.

We have to prove that motorcycles aren't dangerous.

You are a Legend !

[Fatt Max]

A 'fallen bikers day' would serve no purpose other than trying to make us feel better about ourselves.

The public would just see it as further reinforcement of the idea that motorcycles are dangerous and motorcyclists are temporary NZers.

We have to prove that motorcycles aren't dangerous.

I agree with some of that however MAG as I know it promote safe and responsible riding and promote the ideal that we can all take personal responsibility to improve our riding and awareness skills (ie, great to know how to ride fast around the track, also great to know how to ride in urban conditions).

It is also the fact (albeit distorted by questionalble stats) that motorcyclists have accidents where the fault cannot be attributed to the rider. In some cases, this has resulted in the death of a motorcyclist.

Could, therefore, a 'Fallen Bikers' day promote the MAG ideals of

- Safe riding
- Training and upskilling
- Personal responsibility
- Bikers as equal road users and should be treated as such
- Accidents that can and do happen
- Flawed statistics giiving the wrong impression on motorcyclists.

Yes KM, we do have to take responsibility for ourselves, I totally agree. At the same time, should MAG use the 'negative perspective of 'fallen bikers' (not too sure on that title now) to promote thieir policies and action points???

Just me thinking, should be me drinking...

Peace xx

[Maha]

I agree with some of that however MAG as I know it promote safe and responsible riding and promote the ideal that we can all take personal responsibility to improve our riding and awareness skills (ie, great to know how to ride fast around the track, also great to know how to ride in urban conditions).

It is also the fact (albeit distorted by questionalble stats) that motorcyclists have accidents where the fault cannot be attributed to the rider. In some cases, this has resulted in the death of a motorcyclist.

Could, therefore, a 'Fallen Bikers' day promote the MAG ideals of

- Safe riding
- Training and upskilling
- Personal responsibility
- Bikers as equal road users and should be treated as such
- Accidents that can and do happen
- Flawed statistics giiving the wrong impression on motorcyclists.

Yes KM, we do have to take responsibility for ourselves, I totally agree. At the same time, should MAG use the 'negative perspective of 'fallen bikers' (not too sure on that title now) to promote thieir policies and action points???

Just me thinking, should be me drinking...

Peace xx

It could Mark yes...But there are those out there that still beleive that if you are gay you will die of Aids....if its a gay funeral, that person must have died of aids or at least an Aids related illness....do you get what I mean?
A Fallen Bikers Day will only serve to appease bikers.

[MSTRS:Me]

I agree with some of that however MAG as I know it promote safe and responsible riding and promote the ideal that we can all take personal responsibility to improve our riding and awareness skills (ie, great to know how to ride fast around the track, also great to know how to ride in urban conditions).

It is also the fact (albeit distorted by questionalble stats) that motorcyclists have accidents where the fault cannot be attributed to the rider. In some cases, this has resulted in the death of a motorcyclist.

Could, therefore, a 'Fallen Bikers' day promote the MAG ideals of

- Safe riding
- Training and upskilling
- Personal responsibility
- Bikers as equal road users and should be treated as such
- Accidents that can and do happen
- Flawed statistics giiving the wrong impression on motorcyclists.

Yes KM, we do have to take responsibility for ourselves, I totally agree. At the same time, should MAG use the 'negative perspective of 'fallen bikers' (not too sure on that title now) to promote their policies and action points???

Just me thinking, should be me drinking...

Peace xx

Good boy, FM.
Actually, approx 40% of all m/c crashes are the fault of someone else, and a further 7-10% where fault lay with both parties. That leaves some 50% where fault lies with the rider. We need to work on improving that. The result of success there, will mean more aware riders who will then be better skilled to avoid some of the crashes where others are at fault.
Win - win.

[Conquiztador]

Good boy, FM.
Actually, approx 40% of all m/c crashes are the fault of someone else, and a further 7-10% where fault lay with both parties. That leaves some 50% where fault lies with the rider. We need to work on improving that. The result of success there, will mean more aware riders who will then be better skilled to avoid some of the crashes where others are at fault.
Win - win.

I know! Let's have a "Fallen Biker Day Where The Biker Was Killed by Someone Else" Day!!!

Maaan I am brilliant!!!

[Katman]

I know! Let's have a "Fallen Biker Day Where The Biker Was Killed by Someone Else" Day!!!

Maaan I am brilliant!!!

Sorry, those stats are worse than MSTRS's.

[allycatz]

Term Fallen Bikers was what I saw listed in Oz magazine, and maybe Memorial ride would be better suited. Would be interesting to see how past events have gone down in Oz being an annual thing, maybe one of our Oz members/observors could comment or maybe I'll get the magazine back and email the editor and ask some questions. I still think being seen as pro-active to our own safety is a good thing.

[bogan]

Term Fallen Bikers was what I saw listed in Oz magazine, and maybe Memorial ride would be better suited. Would be interesting to see how past events have gone down in Oz being an annual thing, maybe one of our Oz members/observors could comment or maybe I'll get the magazine back and email the editor and ask some questions. I still think being seen as pro-active to our own safety is a good thing.

I fully agree, such an event could be an eye opener for both riders and drivers, especially if the media doesn't put their own spin on it.

[Katman]

especially if the media doesn't put their own spin on it.

Good luck with that.