Wire (cheese cutter) barriers

[Pixie]

A link showing possible modifications to WRBs

http://www.fema.ridersrights.org/cra...ier/index.html

[bert_is_evil]

arrive simultaneously at either a parliamentary or ltsa office, each biker with a block of cheese, dismount and stack them out the front in full view, with a suitable sign.

I like this idea - it would stick in people's minds and the media would love it

[Ozzie]

Trouble is it's not the wires that are the problem (so I've been told).

really?

Is it the posts? I thought the posts were plastic, but then again, never been close enough to know, and don't want to be either.

And, stight cock up, Mythe Busters is on Mondays.

[imdying]

They could sell advertising space on the plastic sheathes, that'd make it attractive for them

[sunhuntin]

the posts are some kind of metal, maybe aluminum? will see if i can get a good look at some nearby ones at some stage, but its hard cos theres not really a safe stopping point that isnt miles away. the wires are bad, but the posts are worse.

[limbimtimwim]

So say those who build them anyway:

http://www.mwhglobal.co.nz/Files/TMW03-Chisnall.pdf

Page 5.

[Ocean1]

A link showing possible modifications to WRBs

http://www.fema.ridersrights.org/cra...ier/index.html

Very good material there, from a practical perspective.
Suspect that the main hurdles will be political though...

They could sell advertising space on the plastic sheathes, that'd make it attractive for them

Damn fine idea, Lotto p'raps? Bendon underwear?

the posts are some kind of metal, maybe aluminum? will see if i can get a good look at some nearby ones at some stage, but its hard cos theres not really a safe stopping point that isnt miles away. the wires are bad, but the posts are worse.

Some are definitely steel, the ones that look like plastic may be, they may be powder coated alloy, I'll look on the way home.

At reasonably low angles of impact I don't believe the wires are anywhere near the danger the posts are. I see a design for soft covers for posts in the above report but I don't think they'd help much, far too little distance to decelerate. Better to prevent contact with the posts with a longitudinal rail, preferably one with a “correct” design deflection.

[Ozzie]

In that case, we should not limit it to cheesecutters, they have started using steel I beems on armco instead of 4x4 posts south of Drury, and through the Hunua Gorge that I have noticed also.

Image that it would be seriously messy to hit one of those at speed too.

So perhaps the focus should be on inappropriate materials for barriers in general, cheesecutters in particular.

On the subject of the actual ride, I think it is important that some rules are set out for behaviour, ie: set a speed limit on the motorway, say 80kph, to keep everyone together, No wheelies, burnouts, stoppies, bins.

It is masively important to portray the appropriate message, and image is everything if we are to be taken seriously.

[sunhuntin]

yes, ozzie. a uk biker i asked about the barriers said a co workers 70-odd year old father died after coming into contact with one of those "I" beans holding up the armco.

[candor]

and this man is an absolute idiot
http://stuff.co.nz/hawkesbay/4198973a23918.html

This is why Wellington based protests can turn sour. The Dompost is a Govt lackey, when it comes to the transport portfolio it is impossible to get fair coverage.

I can say this after several bad experiences - SEVERAL. Sniff the wind of that article motorbyclist has referenced. And don't be led up the garden path with promises of big articles that will get scrapped or turned in to a paragraph item only. Wellington is not where coverage will be fair.

An organisation I work for lately actually had to conduct an event out of area (in Manawatu) just in order to get newspaper coverage! We got it, and then ended up on Close Up as a result, so the strategy worked. Maybe we should charge the Dompost the gas money its cost us to get beyond their reach!

Govt has many "damage control" contingencies for people who try to cause a ruckus in Welly - especially about transport / infrastructure / road safety. It has a plan to kill 300 a year by 2010 and won't be diverted from it!
My guess is that your best bet is to stick with the Herald (&tv3) if they agree as they are not owned by Govt stooges so bad as most newspapers . And to make the biggest event in Akld. It is an Akld genesis movement.

[Ozzie]

Thing is, unless I have it all wrong, no one is advocating that these things go all together perse, barriers have their place, and do make a difference to safety in general. What is the issue is limiting the use of this design (and other less than fantastic material choices) and making the ones that are the only viable solution, safe.

[Hanne]

best bet is to stick with the Herald (&tv3) if they agree as they are not owned by Govt stooges so bad as most newspapers . And to make the biggest event in Akld. It is an Akld genesis movement.

I have contacts at The Herald I can speak to about this, they were interested to hear what was happening with parking on Alfred Street earlier this year and said to keep in touch about that and anything else...

[Marmoot]

Why not ask for support from Westpac Heli crews? Ulysses have supported them for years with the Westpac ride. They know themselves the injuries involved with the accidents too. They would be a perfect supporter for this.

The ride can also be organised to similar structure as the yearly Westpac rally.

Other motorcycling 'celebrities' may include Dick Hubbard, motorcycle rider MPs (especially on the opposition bench to ensure they are not colluted with the government voice cone), Brian Tamaki (!), etc.

It is time all riders unite.

[bert_is_evil]

You're kidding about Brian Tamaki arent you?? Surely we'd lose more support than we'd gain with him amoungst our ranks and he'd be more likely to use us for publicity for his own political gain!!

[Marmoot]

give us other alternatives then...