Yet another ATGATT thread

[Virago]

Bikers lecturing others about ATGATT is exactly the same as non-bikers lecturing us about the dangers of biking. Both have a point, but ultimately they can both fuck off and stick their points up their arses.

[FJRider]

... but a plonker on a Harley. Helmet, t-shirt, shorts, trainers. What's worse, his 14 year old daughter was on the pillion pad, dressed similarly.

But the WOF and rego were up to date ... right ... ????

Apparently it was okay, as he'd just washed the bike (it was spotless) and he was only just drying it out.

But he was totally legal ... right .. ??

He wasn't out on a "real" ride.

He'd probably just left home. It would have been another 15-20 minutes ride to a pub or cafe to make it a "real" ride ...

I gave him the "You make my ACC levies so high" speech, but really, I felt like beating him with a frozen fish. Honestly, what makes us think we are so fecking bulletproof.

I hope you are not planning a career in public relations ...

[nzspokes]

Speak for yourself. I'm alive today because I take responsibility for my own safety. Irrespective of what others do.

I would rather sweat than bleed.

[FJRider]

But here's the thing, it works the other way too: nil to minimal exposure for most riders, especially new ones makes the risk seem far, far away.

Short rides and close to home ... what could possibly go wrong ... ???

Maybe we could do with a bit of a correction in that department. P'raps the constabulary could take a leaf out of the tobacco industry regulations and festoon their troll cars with anatomically correct pictures of all of this routine carnage.

Look how successful that campaign is going ...

They center on those 7 kms over the posted speed limit ... where the REAL danger is ...

[bogan]

I would rather sweat than bleed.

Take the car and do neither...

[R650R]

After previously commenting I thought I'd look up that odd word.
That pisses me more than people doing dumb stuff, using acronyms they assume other people know the meaning of, damn trailer trash txt speak.
Well anyway I'm not bothered either way, I've done the dumb ride to beach on sportsbike in jandles about two summers ago but understand people feeling the need to remind others of what might happen.

Poor Rastus it seems you've become the new Cassina know you've handed in your badge (rat repellent) and the rodents are circling... errr typing....

[Katman]

The best motorcycle rider in the world can come a cropper at the hands of a bad car driver...

He wasn't the best then, was he?

[FJRider]

.... I'm alive today because I take responsibility for my own safety. Irrespective of what others do.

In a serious accident not of your making ... end responsibility may not be your call ... only blame for your choice of actions.


And you may not be in ANY position/condition to argue (or even know).


The following years of medical aid would be paid by the taxpayer.


Be confident (under current legislation) ... no expense will be spared in your rehabilitation/recovery.

[Oakie]

Reminds me of a time the local Oamaru bike cop pulled me over years ago. I wasn't actually doing anything illegal and got no ticket but he pointed out what I was doing made me vulnerable to someone else doing something else (won't go into details). He was absolutely right and it's a lesson I still carry today as I ride. Not picking sides in this one ... just saying.

[swbarnett]

'nil to minimal exposure for most riders, especially new ones makes the risk seem far, far away.

The first half of this statement proves the second. The risk IS far, far away. It's definitely not zero but in reality it's a hell of a lot further away than the safety zealots would have us believe.

[rastuscat]

Bikers lecturing others about ATGATT is exactly the same as non-bikers lecturing us about the dangers of biking. Both have a point, but ultimately they can both fuck off and stick their points up their arses.

Cheers for the sage advice. I think.

[Katiepie]

on a side note.. I was riding on the highway the other day and saw something come off the back of a truck up ahead. was floating in the air and looked to be blowing off to the side of the road. Next thing I was covered in a decent sized piece of black pallet wrap on the inside lane at 100km, visor and helmet covered, caught on front point of bike, and it wrapped around my handlebars making it quite tricky to pull my levers. Had zero visibility, and couldn't pull it off me as my hands were tangled.

Know hazards should all be avoidable, but sure as hell didn't see that happening. Was thankful to all the drivers around me who could obviously see what was going on who gave me enough space to slow and make my way over to the shoulder to get unwrapped. If I had fucked up my reaction I would have been slightly relieved to be wearing full gear. I guess my last stuff-up taught me how to react better in a situation rather than panic as I assume I did in the past.

[swbarnett]

especially when he sees him put his 14yo daughter at risk.

Not according to what is currently legally required riding gear.

One of the key tenets of NZ Police these days is "Prevention First"

This is what I have a problem with. A cop is not my keeper.

which goes beyond simply enforcing the law, and encourages efforts to prevent road trauma and crime victimisation etc.

The logical end of "prevention" is the removal of all that makes life worth living.

Which is exactly what rastuscat seems to have been trying to do in this case...

If the rider had been stopped for something else or even at a random stop I wouldn't have such an issue.


I will accept a legal rider being stopped for a gear lecture when car drivers are stopped for a lecture on the benefits of four-point harnesses and curtain air-bags (etc.).

[scumdog]

I will accept a legal rider being stopped for a gear lecture when car drivers are stopped for a lecture on the benefits of four-point harnesses and curtain air-bags (etc.).

Good call but THAT will never happen.

BTW: I've NEVER been stopped anywhere on my bike for the purposes of telling me that my gear wasn't up to scratch.

[swbarnett]

I would rather sweat than bleed.

They can be one in the same. Ride across Death Valley in full race leathers and see how long you last before passing out from heat stroke. Some of us don't react well to heat (even Auckland summers can be a problem).


I passed out once in this fashion many years ago while stopped at the lights on a bicycle. I rode the rest of the way to work with the helmet on my arm.