Safer Journeys for Motorcycling

[Paul in NZ]

In many ways I feel sick to my stomach when I read that report. Motorcycling is close to becoming 'unacceptable' and will I fear be like all working class 'fun' strangled until all the fun is sucked out and the oiks kicked back into approved activities....

[davereid]

In many ways I feel sick to my stomach when I read that report. Motorcycling is close to becoming 'unacceptable' and will I fear be like all working class 'fun' strangled until all the fun is sucked out and the oiks kicked back into approved activities....

Yep.

Its like another report "safer smoking".

[rastuscat]

Yep.

Its like another report "safer smoking".

.........and safe sex.

Ho hum. More bitching asnd grizzling about papers that are written which have bugger all effect in the short term.

Day to day, the only thing that makes a difference is how safe we make ourselves. Waiting for other motorists or some bureaucrat to make us safer is like waiting for paint to dry. Difference is, paint eventually dries.

I want to be safer in 10 minutes, when I ride my bike next. Only I can do that.

[Rover]

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/consultation...ide/index.html


NZTA have release this discussion document, it's worth reading and dispels many of the urban legends on who is at fault and why.
What was interesting for me was motorcyclists as a group were 6th out of 7 (page 9) as the target of improving motorcycle safety, and the main focus on motorcyclist was enforcement.
Understanding the issues is the first step towards curing a problem, this is a good document regarding understanding what is really going on.

[Virago]

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...r-Motorcycling

[AD345]

I want to be safer in 10 minutes, when I ride my bike next. Only I can do that.

Safer than what?

[Blackbird]

Day to day, the only thing that makes a difference is how safe we make ourselves. Waiting for other motorists or some bureaucrat to make us safer is like waiting for paint to dry. Difference is, paint eventually dries.

Well said. The cynic in me says that a good percentage of motorcyclists either don't know how to ride particularly well, don't realise they're not riding well or don't care whether they do or not. Not much different from the group we all like to criticise - car drivers. The only sure way to find out whether we're riding well is a periodic assessment by a qualified 3rd party and I'm picking that not many people do that.

Much of the solution is in our own hands and we have no right to whinge and moan unless we do something to help ourselves - simple as that.

[Paul in NZ]

Not a new problem then.... But I rather like the 60's solution

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fulDz...eature=related

[Hitcher]

The cynic in me says that a good percentage of motorcyclists either don't know how to ride particularly well, don't realise they're not riding well or don't care whether they do or not.

The cynic in you has clearly observed a Harley Davidson owners' group ride.

[Big Dave]

The cynic in you has clearly observed a Harley Davidson owners' group ride.

The Cynic in me says neither have you. :-)

'Official' HOG runs are done 'by the book' - to the letter.

[Hitcher]

'Official' HOG runs are done 'by the book' - to the letter.

The cynic in me is relieved that some have standards. Watching 40-odd Harleys insisting on riding as a contiguous unit, irrespective of what other road users may be doing, is hardly a joy to watch or experience.

[Big Dave]

insisting on riding as a contiguous unit, irrespective of what other road users may be doing,

Pretty much every massed ride I've observed does that to some degree.

[rastuscat]

Pretty much every massed ride I've observed does that to some degree.

Yup. Group riding dynamics take over, and brains go into park.

[Brian407]

A little late perhaps but ive just read the 'discussion' document. Didnt make me sick, or bore me to tears, but one thing is very evident. Like it or not we are heading down the road of more restrictions, and more enforcement. It's fate accompli..... unless we as a group get off our collective asses and stop moaning about it and make some submissions. Love it or hate it, this is our chance to have a say. It might, or might not make a difference, but one thing that will definately NOT make a difference is doing nothing.

One thing did make me laugh though, how the hell do you get an air bag on a motorcycle??? other than the mother in law on the back.

[James Deuce]

Only I can do that.

No you can't. You can only mitigate some of the risk. It's supreme arrogance to think that you can keep yourself "safe". You need the cooperation of skilled road users, designers and maintainers, those who use the road for purposes other than getting from A to B, and those whose business borders the road to maintain a measure of safety. Which brings you back to trying to keep yourself safe because the aforementioned either don't exist or simply don't give a fuck about the consequences of their action or inaction.

How is making submissions going to change anything? As was proved with ACC, the decision has been made, the die is cast, you're fucked, enjoy riding a bike while you still can.