Bikers getting pulled over at Battle Hill & Featherston (15 February)

**trustme** · 17th February 2009, 09:47

So the authorities are responible for making motorcycling safer, but we are not responsible for the idjuts amongst us . BUCK PASSER, the 2 issues are intertwined, trying to separate them is a cop out.
Its our poor skills which most definately are our problem that on so many occasions leave us incapable of handling the many hazards out there , Oops sorry, I forgot this is NZ the no fault, no blame, no responsibility society, cept for the Gummint of course , after all we can't ever blame ourselves can we

**Hitcher** · 17th February 2009, 09:50

Originally Posted by trustme

after all we can't ever blame ourselves can we

Some of us are more than happy to accept responsibility for our own actions. We'd like a bit of help, thanks, from authorities to better manage things outside of our control.

It sounds to me that you're happy to opt out by pointing the finger.

**trustme** · 17th February 2009, 10:00

You may well take responsibilty for your actions, I am more than happy to be accountable for mine. There are a hell of a lot out there in all walks of life not just motorcycling who are not interested in being responsible or accountable for their actions . It is that malaise that is the enemy.
I do not opt out , finger pointing ?? , if we don't address the issue it will never change.
Sorry got to work now.

**Fatjim** · 17th February 2009, 12:18

Phew, he's gone. Now we can get back to making sense.

**swbarnett** · 17th February 2009, 12:28

Originally Posted by trustme

There are a hell of a lot out there in all walks of life not just motorcycling who are not interested in being responsible or accountable for their actions.

"I am not my brother's keeper"

We're just asking TPTB to take responsibility for THEIR actions. The ones that produce dodgy roads at best and at worst down right dangerous ones

**sunhuntin** · 17th February 2009, 12:35

Originally Posted by Deano

It's odd that some manhole covers get a layer of asphalt on them, improving grip phenomonally, while other 2m x 1m steel plates get left as they are, creating a serious slip hazard when wet.

Gravel left from road works, and unmarked.....the list goes on.

i find it odd that road people find it impossible to keep manholes and other steel covers and the like flush with the road surface.

theres one down the road from mums thats a good 10 cms or so below the road level. furthur down are two manholes that are about even with the road surface. and in a road around the corner from me, theres no less than 15 manhole covers in just shy of a k, and every single one of them is at a different level.
the one down from mums thats below has been spray painted and marked for "raise" which in theory is good, providing they only raise it to make it flush. but the other two, which are almost level, have also been marked with raise. seems a waste of time if they are taking a drop which jars the bike and making it a jump that still jars the bike.

they also went and stuck 6 manhole covers on the 80k motorway bridge [3 per lane] and each cover is smack in the middle of the lane. they are pretty level, but still a pain, specially in the wet.

**Patrick** · 17th February 2009, 14:14

Originally Posted by unrealone

Both. The cop that waved me in just said, "ACC are doing a survey type thing, go grab a sausage and have a chat to the ACC lady - cheers!" Friendly indeed...

Bastard... what was he thinking???

Originally Posted by James Deuce

Given that I'm not dead I don't need to be stopped to discuss the point, using that particular logic.

Thats funny... there are dead bikers who all probably thought the same thing... Go figure....

Originally Posted by slimjim

yes, wife and i also got asked to stop while heading towards Birchville... said what' the f-ck..! Acc..na f-ck off..ask the police what fcking right you got to stop motorcyclist for a questionary.. nope fired up bike a rode off..pricks and we wonder where our taxes are going

So.... trying to find out why motorcyclists are wiping themselves off the face of the earth is not a good thing...??? Totally agree, the questions left a little to be desired, but it is a beginning... isn't it?

And no, I have not been involved in any of these check points.... I just fail to see what some are so worked up about.

Originally Posted by James Deuce

It's not paranoia. These two groups have repeatedly performed this particular process over the last 20 years and it invariably results in a huge amount of self-generated bad publicity for motorcycling.

These two groups have a very real desire to reduce motorcycle accidents by any means. Banning them outright is very close to the top of the list and admissions of guilt delivered via a "survey" are only providing ammunition.

If they're from the Government, and they say they're here to help you, you're already doomed.

The sky is falling....

I bet too many motorcyclists generate thier own bad publicity......

Originally Posted by James Deuce

I'm not willing to swap (eventually) my bike and bike license for a magazine and a chocolate bar.

OK then... how about TWO chokkie bars and a mag???

Last year's fatality stats were all about the price of petrol. People didn't suddenly gain better skills, better awareness, and a more courteous approach to driving. Some of us simply stopped driving or riding anywhere near as much as we did in the previous 12 months.

Good call. Something I believe in too... sadly....

Btw, cheeky tag people, BRONZ have been talking about Government Strategy papers that call for the outright banning of motorcycles for years. Very few motorcyclists listen, mostly due to the good old Kiwi "it can't happen here" attitude.

For years... but motorcycling is growing in popularity, with the rising costs of fuel.... It can't happen here.....

Originally Posted by dipshit

Actually with a questionnaire like...

******************

What do you mostly consider on the road? Please tick 3:
- Loose Stock
- Weather Conditions
- Other road users
- Corners
- Hillcrests

*************************

... they are probably trying to find out if most motorcyclists go around blaming everything on everybody else instead of been more concerned with the most likely thing that will kill them....

Failing to take a corner.

I would have ticked all 5.

Originally Posted by fireliv

What are you on about! ACC and the police do target other groups. They do child restraints (havent heard anyone complaining that they are targetting kids) cyclists, and recently ACC did a stint on the Interislander ferrys talking with truck drivers.

We all no that motorcyclist statistics are high, I hear enough bitching about it in these forums, but when the goverment/acc start trying to address the problem of shit riders out there killing people, everyone starts jumping up and down about being targeted.

And yes they do have overstayer round up too so everyone gets "targeted" now and then

It's better to have them wiping themselves out, it seems, in some quarters......

Originally Posted by Ocean1

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=59539

I know of one KBer who had this happen. One is one too many, but I do not recall any others. Anyone got actual figures on how many have been sliced in two by these barriers?

**Katman** · 17th February 2009, 14:34

Originally Posted by AllanB

as I'd prefer to avoid the 'Katman lover' comments that would follow.

Believe me, there's worse things you could be called.

I know - I've been called them all.

**Fatjim** · 17th February 2009, 14:42

Originally Posted by Patrick

I know of one KBer who had this happen. One is one too many, but I do not recall any others. Anyone got actual figures on how many have been sliced in two by these barriers?

How many do you know who've hit the WRB and have not severed parts of their body. My understanding is that if you hit them at any reasonable speed, i.e. a speed where you might actualy want a barrier there you are likely to die or lose a few kilos in a moment.

**James Deuce** · 17th February 2009, 15:36

Originally Posted by Patrick

Bastard... what was he thinking???

Thats funny... there are dead bikers who all probably thought the same thing... Go figure....

So.... trying to find out why motorcyclists are wiping themselves off the face of the earth is not a good thing...??? Totally agree, the questions left a little to be desired, but it is a beginning... isn't it?

And no, I have not been involved in any of these check points.... I just fail to see what some are so worked up about.

The sky is falling....

I bet too many motorcyclists generate thier own bad publicity......

For years... but motorcycling is growing in popularity, with the rising costs of fuel.... It can't happen here.....

I would have ticked all 5.

It's better to have them wiping themselves out, it seems, in some quarters......

I know of one KBer who had this happen. One is one too many, but I do not recall any others. Anyone got actual figures on how many have been sliced in two by these barriers?

I'm not disagreeing with any of your points, however I am very tired of interested Govt parties putting a negative spin on information provided by motorcyclists.

Except for the one about motorcycle as transport. Oh and the choccies. Not while I'm riding. Makes me go mental. Speeding and stuff.

**Patrick** · 17th February 2009, 17:17

Originally Posted by Fatjim

How many do you know who've hit the WRB and have not severed parts of their body. My understanding is that if you hit them at any reasonable speed, i.e. a speed where you might actualy want a barrier there you are likely to die or lose a few kilos in a moment.

Don't have em down here, thank gawd.... But just curious as to how many killed, how many lost kilos, whatever. Is it many? One is one too many.

Originally Posted by James Deuce

I'm not disagreeing with any of your points, however I am very tired of interested Govt parties putting a negative spin on information provided by motorcyclists.

Except for the one about motorcycle as transport. Oh and the choccies. Not while I'm riding. Makes me go mental. Speeding and stuff.

Perhaps the negative spin is from your side of the fence...this time???

**James Deuce** · 17th February 2009, 18:08

Originally Posted by Patrick

Don't have em down here, thank gawd.... But just curious as to how many killed, how many lost kilos, whatever. Is it many? One is one too many.

Perhaps the negative spin is from your side of the fence...this time???

I've paticipated in the information gathering process around Motorcycle Deaths & Injuries in many different ways over the last 20 years. Every time I've been left gob smacked at the level Government officials will stoop to to push their own agenda. "We really want your input, so we can shaft you properly", is the normal MO.

This survey is no different given the questions. The results will be collated and a damning picture presented. We're the last group of motorists who aren't tourists, willing to use our vehicles to change our vista. The Sheeple simply don't go for "a drive" any more. The problem is, the weekend rider is causing a mounting pile of hospital and funeral parlour bills as well as affecting the economy due to the demographic that is participating in the weekend ride scene.

19 year old falls off a bike and breaks a leg. Big deal. 54 year old CEO with his 55 year old Finance Company director wife on the back falls off and ACC has a collossal wage bill to pay during the rehabilitation process, many times that of the 19 year old.

How do we get them to stop? "I know, get them to dob each other in! We'll call it a survey and give them chocolate."

I'm not criticising the Police, but I don't believe there is a resource within the scope of the NZ Police force that has anything like the time and money to make an impact on rider fatality and injury stats. The UK Police (depending on area, funding, will, etc) run riding courses. That would be a superb exercise and would demonstrate real Government will to help fix some of the attitudes to riding a bike on the road that we are currently suffering from. A big stick and self incrimination isn't ever going to do that. Hutt City Council ran a refresher course for motorcyclists about 4 years ago and the Police Sergeant doing the training was superb. It was a day well spent.

This exercise is about reducing a growing drain on the "Taxpayer", and ACC have a mandate to do that in a number of ways. They've never been about accident prevention in regard to Motorcycles. They'd rather we weren't allowed to ride them at all. Farmers, commuters, racers, weekend warriors, scooterists - we're all the same to them. We're on the wrong side of the ledger.

**Patrick** · 17th February 2009, 19:25

Originally Posted by James Deuce

.... "I know, get them to dob each other in! We'll call it a survey and give them chocolate."

This is the part I don't follow. The question was, "what did you see other bikers do that was stupid shite..." not "who, what was the rego, when where...."

I see it as a way of knowing of the stupid shite that stupid "sheeple" do, that can be used to educate others, on how not to ride like a dick, perhaps...... or is this wishful thinking by people who actually might give a stuff about stopping stupid people doing stupid stuff...???

**Flossi** · 17th February 2009, 19:38

some great replies since I was on here last night, unfortunately I don't have time to acknowledge or respond to any this evening

I'll try to get back tomorrow and comment, etc, if necessary (there are one or two things I'd like to comment on

)

Oh, and another of my tasks for this year to do with motorcycles is to investigate the need for motorcycle handling courses, etc. Bearing in mind that my area is the Wairarapa only, so if you're over the other side of the hill and feel the need for something over there you'd have to talk to your own Road Safety Coordinator

(however, I could pass on the message to her!)
I have spoken to local motorbike shops and they think there'd be more of a need locally for guys who don't have their licences, but have perhaps been riding for many years, to get on with getting their licence. The only problem is not wanting to be stuck with the 250 capacity limit which I can totally understand, oh and also having to go through the whole rigmarole of the learners/restricted stuff. I'm just not sure if there's any way around any of that.

But I'm more than happy to look into some handling courses over here, we could even help fund them!

Back tomorrow!