Safer Journeys for Motorcycling

[NONONO]

If you would prefer, I could adopt a persona of Pollyannaish delusional optimism, one which articulated a view that key decision makers in the public service (officials, not politicians) could be persuaded by logic and reason to change the views that they currently hold. This same voice of unadulterated joy and positivism could also espouse a belief that there may be politicians of influence who actually give a shit about the wants and needs of those of us who ride motorcycles and who are ready to rally around our just and righteous cause.

For inspiration, I could draw on the numerous posts in the echo chamber of indignation that are regularly trotted out on Kiwi Biker, none of which have ever been heard by the decision makers with whom each new poster wishes to lock horns.

If believing that a tired argument that has failed once or twice before is a lack of backbone, then perhaps I should indeed go and fraternise with other cnidarians.

http://youtu.be/2uohP4gk0wU
Try Citalopram. low dose at first, increase as needed. Some CBT might be useful. Smile a bit, laugh at the rain, listen to the church bells....anything but your constant fckin groaning.
Seriously man, you may need some help.
http://www.angelfire.com/music4/beth...eyorePage.html

[Conquiztador]

So I read all this. Have a look at the report, but decide it is not what I want to read over my cornflakes.

I then look to my crystal ball, where it sits waiting patiently with it's knowledge of the parts of my future I have no bearing on, for advise. As I focus on the fog that represents the future of motorbiking in my beloved country I see two distinctive groups forming:
- One that rides their 125cc max 70k/h regulated two wheel transports dressed in yellow dayglow vests dutifully paying the hign ACC levies.
- One that rides old non-electronic assited noisy smoking bikes and dressed in black leathers, all having perfected the one finger salute.

As I contemplate this vision of the future I have no doubt what group I will belong to.

I also recognise that the issue this thread (and so many others lately) is highlighting can only be solved by full frontal attack. As I look around for the leader this will require I sadly find nobody who fits the mould. There is a multitude of warriors who dutifully try to affect the outcome by following the rules that have been made up for them to limit their impact.

I then wonder how a group (be that a big one that could have some major impact) that think they have made their contribution by participating in the Bikoi against the ACC increase, and where individiuality is one of the highest attributes, could ever work together to achieve a common goal that would provide a motorbiking future in NZ where we can hold on to what we currently have.

The outcome is a bleak one. Sadly.

To have any impact there is only one path to take: A dedicated MotorBike Political Party.

At this stage my plate of cornflakes is empty and I want to go down in to my workshop to continue the work on one of my bikes I started a few days ago. This, I conclude, is something I have full control over. The, by me, led biker revolution has to wait. But if there was a few others who would be prepared to share the load, to contribute with ideas...

[Brian407]

So how many signatures on a petition does it take to force a referendum? Referendums arent binding, but if enough people want one then they have to hold one. Referendums arent binding but it would be a foolish govt indeed that chose to ignore one completely. Talk to your opposition MP's and convince them that this is a voting issue that could well help their cause in the next election. Make it about them as well, not just about us.

But most importantly. Dont sit at home on your hands and do nothing. Those that choose that method are the very sheep that the regulators rely on so they can shaft us all.

[Katman]

Until we start taking a closer look at ourselves and seriously consider what has brought us to the current state of affairs then we're pushing shit uphill if we think any descisions made by the powers that be are going to work well in our favour.

[Ocean1]

Until we start taking a closer look at ourselves and seriously consider what has brought us to the current state of affairs then we're pushing shit uphill if we think any descisions are going to be made by the powers that be that work well in our favour.

Decisions by the powers that be that don't work well for us ARE what's brought us to the current state of affairs. And if you think anything you do is going to change that you've got fewer clues than I thought were nescessary to actually breath.

[Katman]

Decisions by the powers that be that don't work well for us ARE what's brought us to the current state of affairs. And if you think anything you do is going to change that you've got fewer clues than I thought were nescessary to actually breath.

Bullshit. The decisions made have been in response to far too many motorcyclists for far too many years giving society the digitus impudicus.

It's the old "Yeah, I crashed riding like a twat and cost the country thousands to fix up, but so what - it's my right to ride however I like" attitude that's brought us the adverse attention we're now receiving.

[Ocean1]

Bullshit. The decisions made have been in response to far too many motorcyclists for far too many years giving society the digitus impudicus.

Katshit. They've got the right to ride in whatever manner they consider represents the best balance between their passion and their safety...

It's the old "Yeah, I crashed riding like a twat and cost the country thousands to fix up, but so what - it's my right to ride however I like" attitude that's brought us the adverse attention we're now receiving.

...and vacuous politicians and their lackeys whining that there's not enough of the money they stole from motorcyclists in the first place to cover their injuries doesn't amount to a valid claim to the right to dictate terms to them. Quite the reverse, given the blatantly corrupt data and hugely spun propaganda they used to justify it in the first place.

Fuck'em.

[Katman]

Katshit. They've got the right to ride in whatever manner they consider represents the best balance between their passion and their safety...

Yeah, that's the attitude I'm talking about.

"I don't give a fuck what my passion costs the country" will get us no-where other than deeper in the shit.

[actungbaby]

yes totally

I mean you thought i f you reach you late 40s and hadint got out your system

Why hell.. not where surposed to be setting example to young ones not acting like dicks are selves

I seen dude my age riding halrey lound as hell scare little bbays in there prams mothers trying get
them to sleep and what for so can ride like moneky arms stretched out to me looks like clown
with german hlemet on american bike in new zealnd thinks hes from easy rider please... looks like dick

I mean you can put speed when young done to hormones and such what these clowns trying prove
There not old oh please ...you are get over it

Bullshit. The decisions made have been in response to far too many motorcyclists for far too many years giving society the digitus impudicus.

It's the old "Yeah, I crashed riding like a twat and cost the country thousands to fix up, but so what - it's my right to ride however I like" attitude that's brought us the adverse attention we're now receiving.

[Madness]

yes totally

I mean you thought i f you reach you late 40s and hadint got out your system

Why hell.. not where surposed to be setting example to young ones not acting like dicks are selves

I seen dude my age riding halrey lound as hell scare little bbays in there prams mothers trying get
them to sleep and what for so can ride like moneky arms stretched out to me looks like clown
with german hlemet on american bike in new zealnd thinks hes from easy rider please... looks like dick

I mean you can put speed when young done to hormones and such what these clowns trying prove
There not old oh please ...you are get over it

Exactly!

[MSTRS:Me]

yes totally

I mean you thought i f you reach you late 40s and hadint got out your system

Why hell.. not where surposed to be setting example to young ones not acting like dicks are selves

I seen dude my age riding halrey lound as hell scare little bbays in there prams mothers trying get
them to sleep and what for so can ride like moneky arms stretched out to me looks like clown
with german hlemet on american bike in new zealnd thinks hes from easy rider please... looks like dick

I mean you can put speed when young done to hormones and such what these clowns trying prove
There not old oh please ...you are get over it

Having a little trouble with that.
If you mean the young and/or the brainless can't be reached, then yes I'd agree. Can't put an old/wise head on young shoulders, but we sure gonna keep trying...

[Hitcher]

So how many signatures on a petition does it take to force a referendum? Referendums arent binding, but if enough people want one then they have to hold one. Referendums arent binding but it would be a foolish govt indeed that chose to ignore one completely. Talk to your opposition MP's and convince them that this is a voting issue that could well help their cause in the next election. Make it about them as well, not just about us.

Remember the smacking referendum? And that was about something way more contentious than a few people who like to go pootling hither and yon on motorcycles.

[Conquiztador]

In 2007 there was 421 road deaths in NZ. There was also 483 suicides.

Our government has committed to investing $300 million/year in to road policing. (Makes it $712,589.00/death) (That is on top of the $290 million/year in road improvements)

From 2004 - 2007 $5.52 million was invested in suicide prevention, making it $1.38 million per year. (Makes it $2,857.00/ death)

(Sorry, was not able to find later info for suicide prevention)

And before you start shooting holes in this argument: Yes I do realise that it is wrong to compare like this on so many levels. But clearly there must be a reason why traffic deaths are worth soo much more?

My cynical mind tries to convince me that it so much easier to write a ticket to someone who does 105K/h than to someone contemplating suicide...

[caseye]

Banish the thought you guys, ol Hitcher is entitled to his opinion, that's what makes this and any other forum so interesting .
I can't help but agree with him about the Pollies and us ranting here but never actually getting to lock horns with the Polly/Bureaucrat that matters.
That's why I've emailed Mr Wright/Wrong.That's why I've ridden to Welly , twice,joined BRONZ every year for years now. Thrown my hat in the ring when AAG and then MAG came along.
I'm tired of you lot bleating and doing NO More than that.
I've suggested that we do get in the ear of the Pollies that we do actually prove our own case for responsibility instead of blaming the car drivers and anyone else within a mile of us when we come off because we didn't see the metal on the corner, see it! we should expect it and act/ride accordingly.
I believe as Katman does, that when the general public and the pollies/bureaucrats see motorcyclists in general riding at something approaching respectable speeds, actually obeying the road rules and not giving ordinary motorists heart attacks at the audacity of their speeding,dangerous behaviour that we might have a chance at being heard and understood with something approaching a sympathetic ear.

[pritch]

actually obeying the road rules and not giving ordinary motorists heart attacks at the audacity of their speeding,dangerous behaviour that we might have a chance at being heard and understood with something approaching a sympathetic ear.

A bit optimistic I fear. Search a few KB threads about cyclists and you'll find the same uninformed, prejudiced, rants that some car drivers indulge regarding motorcyclists. Reality doesn't have too much to do with any of it.