Gareth Morgan in the Herald on ACC levies for bikers

[Scuba_Steve]

Some make no obvious effort to be safe, some don't even know how.

And at a risk of sounding like Katman, more than a few grossly over-estimate their 'capabilities'

'tis true but if anyone thinks financial raping is going to change any of that, they should deposit all their money into my account immediately... it'll save the world!

[mashman]

A bin a year? put down the crack pipe bro, I'd consider a bin a decade to many

Aye, a bin at all is a bloody shocker... but my point was that a bin a year may be acceptable for some, however misguided that may seem to you sensible people.

[scumdog]

That made me chuckle, cheers. A serious incident is a serious incident.

Generally it takes less of a speed/impact to make a bike incident 'serious'.

But I guess you knew that...

[mashman]

Generally it takes less of a speed/impact to make a bike incident 'serious'.

But I guess you knew that...

I did know that. Is there a golden speed that will definitely result in a serious injury for a motorcyclist?

[nerrrd]

So bringing my bludging half-a-wit to bear again, and taking into account the comments I've read over the years from wiser and more experienced riders than myself (a category into which I would certainly include you, Gareth, if you are still reading) on here and elsewhere, there doesn't seem to be any mystery about what needs be improved to help reduce motorcycle crash statistics: basically it comes down to attitude and ability.

So far I'd say increasing ACC levies has done nothing to improve either, has it? All it's done for me is prompt me to sell my car.

Over the last 3 years since I started riding again I've spent over a grand on training courses and they've all been brilliant, and I fully intend to do more - unless of course I can't afford it due to increases in other costs.

Of the group ones I've attended I can't think of a single instance where someone at the end if the day has said "well that was a complete waste of time" - everyone seems to really enjoy it, and come out of it with a great attitude.

So why not encourage people to do more of this kind of thing? Instead of punishing them at the outset simply for having the temerity to ride a motorcycle? Carrots always work much better than sticks in my experience. And they taste better.

[oldrider]

The Gov't don't give a fat rats arse if every motorbike disappeared overnight.

Binning riders cost too much to fix up and it doesn't matter WHO causes the crash - at a given speed a rider normally wrecks himself more than a car-driver does at that speed.

That's the reality folks, enjoy your ride.

Errr .... thinks, on that kinda reasoning it would pay to make murder legal cause it costs ACC less than fixing up assault victims!

[GrayWolf]

Sheesh.
Laphroaig...

You Sir,
for THAT heinous suggestion, and for even THINKING it, should be relegated and forced to drink Teachers, or Bell's (whisky??) for the next decade!

[HenryDorsetCase]

Errr .... thinks, on that kinda reasoning it would pay to make murder legal cause it costs ACC less than fixing up assault victims!

are you from Fielding?

[Flip]

Well I think that mr Morgan has shown us his true nature and is back pedaling very quickly to try to dig him self out of the hole he is is.

[avgas]

If all you pillocks bitching about your thirty fucking dollars put as much effort into figuring out ways to reduce our crash stats we'd have had the problem solved long ago.

I highly doubt it.
That would mean there would be no ACC on motorcycle rego. Are you saying that there is only ACC on things that a dangerous?

[avgas]

risk of sounding like Katman, more than a few grossly over-estimate their 'capabilities'

Lets keep the Police out of this bro - they do a good job every now and then

[oldrider]

Morgan's wife is actually the "real motorcyclist" in the family ... Gareth is more just a follower with means! (Are you prepared to be lead by a follower?)

[rustic101]

If all you pillocks bitching about your thirty fucking dollars

All due respect Katman, for me this is not about the money, I am not able to speak for others though. My gripe is about how poorly run MOTONZ is. How ineffective it engages and communicates with individuals it claims to represents, a clear lack of added value they have failed to provide. I'll stop as I could go on.

MOTONZ is a Political tool with Political motives and under that regime will never success other than to create barriers. The only success MOTONZ has achieved to date is divide the motorcycle community and distract from the real issues. Both of which ACC and the Govt will be bloody happy with.

The question is, can it be fixed? The answer is - Yes!

The two primary road blocks to this occurring are; ACC and their intent, and the lack of leadership and independence from the Chair of MOTONZ.

The sooner people drop the issue of the extra money and statistics the sooner action plans can be put in place to improve and provide added value to our road user group.

[Katman]

The sooner people drop the issue of the extra money and statistics the sooner action plans can be put in place to improve and provide added value to our road user group.

And that's the crux of it.

MotoNZ is just a sideshow.

The main issue is getting motorcyclists to wake up to the fact that the only way forward lies in their own hands.

Forget ACC, forget MotoNZ, forget statistics and concentrate on cleaning up our own back yard.

[rustic101]

And that's the crux of it.

MotoNZ is just a sideshow.

The main issue is getting motorcyclists to wake up to the fact that the only way forward lies in their own hands.

Forget ACC, forget MotoNZ, forget statistics and concentrate on cleaning up our own back yard.

Whole heartedly agree.