Wire (cheese cutter) barriers

**Colapop** · 26th October 2007, 08:23

http://www.network.mag-uk.org/barrie...kdistrict.html

**DougieNZ** · 26th October 2007, 09:10

Originally Posted by Zapf

The media has carried the term cheese cutter, and you will be surprised at how many people have know about this. In lack of other "words" this maybe the best one to use. Better suggestions?

For the record, the police has not complete the investigations. I suspect they are basing off my approximate estimation in my statement to them for their estimate. (I was the single witness to the incident)

Yep - Wire Rope Barrier. Excellent interview from you last night Felix - you used both terms. Interestingly I asked my other 1/2 (she rides) last night what a cheesecutter was - no idea.... But she does agree that WRB's are dangerous!

Cool - fair enough. I have to give TV3 some credit for not mentioning the speed. It potentiallly is an issue in the actiual incident, but not in the injuries recieved. I believe the injuries received could/would well have happened at legal speeds also. I guess that is the point that we want the general public to get. We don't want the speed clouding the issue...Big ups to TV3 for the balanced article last night.

Interestingly, and exactly as I predicted, several replies on the Herald site from members of the public have used the speed in the incident as an argument against the campaign. What a shame they don't get the point...

**DougieNZ** · 26th October 2007, 09:15

Interestingly, armco barriers are just as dangerous! The missus had an 'off' on the Rimutaka hill Rd a few years back while learning. Sliding across the road fine with full protective gear.

Then hit the barrier post (under the armco). Cracked ribs and knocked out. Another set of armco underneath could well have prevented those injures. She ended up under the armco wrapped around the post!

**Pixie** · 26th October 2007, 09:41

Originally Posted by 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.

Other people we might approach are the "media bikers" Richard Driver,Andrew Shaw,Mark Sainsbury....
They might be able to use they contacts to get a "public service" ad on TV

**Usarka** · 26th October 2007, 10:04

There's been a few comments that the wire barriers are not good in a situation where there is little room either side as a car will still go onto the other side of the road.

The counter to that is and will be that the barrier will act as a brake, and that it is better for a car (or bike for that matter) to hit an on coming car when it has slowed drastically than at 100kph. Eg a 110kph impact is much more survivable than 200kph.

If there isn't room for concrete barrier then I don't think anyone would succeed in saying having no barrier is better than a cheese cutter. The life of one motorcyclist is far cheaper than the lives of 10 car drivers. Simple fact. The effort in this situation needs to be implementing the safest possible option (eg the idea about sleeves).

I'm still very concerned about these being used on the sides of the roads and in places with shitloads of room......

**sAsLEX** · 26th October 2007, 10:15

Originally Posted by Usarka

I'm still very concerned about these being used on the sides of the roads and in places with shitloads of room......

I think thats what worries alot of bikers, the ones on the left, they serve no purpose that has been pointed out to me and passes my tests of logic, about the only thing they achieve is make these sections more dangerous in all situations!?

**Hitcher** · 26th October 2007, 10:22

Originally Posted by Usarka

I'm still very concerned about these being used on the sides of the roads and in places with shitloads of room......

Indeed. These have been recently randomly applied as roadside barriers along the Pekapeka straight north of Waikanae. I say "randomly" because it appears that their intention is to keep vehicles out of drainage channels that run parallel to the main road (not that vehicles doing so is anything close to a common occurance), but yet there are still vast expanses of "unprotected" drains that appear no less dangerous than those bits that are now fenced.

The worst use of cheesecutter (I think) in the Greater Wellington region is on SH58 -- the Haywards Hill road, where it is used as a median barrier on a stretch of narrow road with off-camber corners and an extremely marginal road surface.

**Drum** · 26th October 2007, 10:34

Originally Posted by Hitcher

.....where it is used as a median barrier on a stretch of narrow road with off-camber corners and an extremely marginal road surface.

Which is why it is there. Because off-camber corners and marginal road surfaces contrubute to cars crossing the centreline and the subsequent potential for a head on crash. Riders were never considered in the equation.

**sAsLEX** · 26th October 2007, 10:36

Originally Posted by Drum

Which is why it is there. Because off-camber corners and marginal road surfaces contrubute to cars crossing the centreline and the subsequent potential for a head on crash. Riders were never considered in the equation.

Yeah dont fix the inherent problem slap a band aid on it!

GO FUCKIN NZ!

**Hitcher** · 26th October 2007, 10:44

Originally Posted by Drum

Riders were never considered in the equation.

And road designers and builders are never convicted for murder.

**sels1** · 26th October 2007, 10:54

Originally Posted by Zapf

The media has carried the term cheese cutter, and you will be surprised at how many people have know about this. In lack of other "words" this maybe the best one to use. Better suggestions?

"Body Slicers" - gets the message thru in 2 words.

**Colapop** · 26th October 2007, 10:57

http://www.network.mag-uk.org/barrie...kdistrict.html

The above link shows a viable alternative as an addition to existing armco barriers. Reducing the rate of injuries to riders significantly.

**raster** · 26th October 2007, 11:05

Originally Posted by DougieNZ

Yep - Wire Rope Barrier. Excellent interview from you last night Felix - you used both terms. Interestingly I asked my other 1/2 (she rides) last night what a cheesecutter was - no idea.... But she does agree that WRB's are dangerous!

Cool - fair enough. I have to give TV3 some credit for not mentioning the speed. It potentiallly is an issue in the actiual incident, but not in the injuries recieved. I believe the injuries received could/would well have happened at legal speeds also. I guess that is the point that we want the general public to get. We don't want the speed clouding the issue...Big ups to TV3 for the balanced article last night.

Interestingly, and exactly as I predicted, several replies on the Herald site from members of the public have used the speed in the incident as an argument against the campaign. What a shame they don't get the point...

When was this interview on TV3 last night, has anybody got a link to it?