Top cop says bikers are incompetant and pissed

**Grahameeboy** · 3rd December 2007, 16:17

Originally Posted by Krusti

To some extent I agree with him. He did say some, not all.

You or I may not have a beer on our way around Corro loop but I know some do.

I have also come across some born again bikers who's brain have not yet caught up with thier bike, some younger ones too!

Although I don't totally agree with what he said he did make a couple of valid observations.

Thats right and I have seen a few KBers have 2 or 3 pints during a ride.

However, it does sound like a damage control comment after that cop v bikes crash.

**spudchucka** · 3rd December 2007, 16:19

Originally Posted by Ixion

Precisely so. Just as I'm sure Mr Tooman would object to any of his cops being branded as rapists because one cop was so convicted, so motorcyclists may object to being universely branded as pissed and incompetant (the more so since so far we have not seen even the one convicted instance to back Mr Tooman's theory).

I must include that analogy when I write to Mr Tooman.

Stopping at cafes for a few beers is more like what he said, not quite branding bikers as pissed as far as I'm concerned.

His comments will be based on reports, notings, infringement notices, complaints from the public, court matters etc etc that have given rise to concern.

**jrandom** · 3rd December 2007, 16:20

Personally, I find myself very exercised over the fact that the title of this thread misspells 'incompetent'.

**Ixion** · 3rd December 2007, 16:21

Originally Posted by Grahameeboy

Thats right and I have seen a few KBers have 2 or 3 pints during a ride.

....

But did you then see them crash ? That is the point, the allegation is that bike crashes are caused by the riders being 'overtaken by technology' and intoxicated.

Riders who have had a drink and NOT crashed are not in the picture. (Nor are those who find that 'technology has moved on - whatever the hell that means, but do not crash)

**Ixion** · 3rd December 2007, 16:22

Originally Posted by jrandom

Personally, I find myself very exercised over the fact that the title of this thread misspells 'incompetent'.

Well, that's good. The exercise will help you lose weight. I'll send you my invoice, I'm cheaper than Jenny Craig (and better looking) .

**Swoop** · 3rd December 2007, 16:22

Originally Posted by robertydog

My thoughts are with those families at this time.

Holy fuck. The details in picture #1 of that post are scary.

**Grahameeboy** · 3rd December 2007, 16:24

Originally Posted by Ixion

Actually it's not drinking and riding that he points the finger at, it's drinking riding and crashing. So the question is not how many bikers do or do not have a drink, it's how many have a drink and then crash.

Specifically, on the open road (since he references bikers coming down from Auckland). Not in the city.I suspect the number would be very small.

Ther've been a fair few crashes on teh Coro loop reproted here. But the number caused by the rider being pissed ? Dunno if anyone knows of any, but I don't.

I guess riding and drinking is a potential hazard still and should not be accepted just because the riders don't crash??

I would say a few bears are consumed on a Coro loop and I guess given the 'Code' that drink related crashes may not be possible to determine.

**Goblin** · 3rd December 2007, 16:25

Originally Posted by Ixion

Precisely so. Just as I'm sure Mr Tooman would object to any of his cops being branded as rapists because one cop was so convicted, so motorcyclists may object to being universely branded as pissed and incompetant (the more so since so far we have not seen even the one convicted instance to back Mr Tooman's theory).

I must include that analogy when I write to Mr Tooman.

Ahhh but it wasn't just one cop convicted of rape now was it. There was a whole gang of them....some havn't even been convicted yet.

We all need to stay alert on the roads and beware of all these cars, cops and campers on the wrong side of the road. Ride to survive people!

**SPman** · 3rd December 2007, 16:25

I'm born again, every time I get on a bike!

**Grahameeboy** · 3rd December 2007, 16:27

Originally Posted by Ixion

But did you then see them crash ? That is the point, the allegation is that bike crashes are caused by the riders being 'overtaken by technology' and intoxicated.

Riders who have had a drink and NOT crashed are not in the picture. (Nor are those who find that 'technology has moved on - whatever the hell that means, but do not crash)

That it is acceptable to drink and ride as long as you don't crash...........or am I missing the moral point here.

**janno** · 3rd December 2007, 16:27

I don't take the comments as an attack against bikers as such, merely valid observations. I really can't argue with his comments there.

However, I think the journalist has decided to take those comments and use them as basis for the strap, which then leads the reader on to the first par of the accidents, thus leading to the conclusion that the two are linked.

Once again, it comes down to an anti bike journo, I'd say.

**Ixion** · 3rd December 2007, 16:28

Well, if someone doesn't crash then it could be argued that whatever they've been doing has maybe improved their riding.

But, as Mr Tooman made no comment regarding the behaviour of riders who have not crashed, their drinking (or other) habits are irrelevant.

It is bikers who have crashed in the Waikato or Coromandel that we are talking about here.

**Skyryder** · 3rd December 2007, 16:28

Originally Posted by spudchucka

You bunch of cry babies seem to have an uncanny ability to take what is obviously a generalised comment very personally.

It's the KB way that I've tried very hard to dispel.

But it works both ways SC. Slag the cops in a general manner and there's plenty here who take it personal.

Skyyrder

**Swoop** · 3rd December 2007, 16:29

Originally Posted by Grahameeboy

I would say a few bears are consumed on a Coro loop...

Does greenpeace know about this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?

EDIT: Bugger this. I'm NEVER riding the loop unarmed ever again!! The alligators at Whangamata might get me!