PRESS RELEASE – BRONZ FEDERATION (INC.)
Bikers Rights Organization of New Zealand, would like to announce on behalf of all Branches Nationwide, that a Committee has been formed as BRONZ Federation (Inc.) in a meeting at Lower Hutt on Saturday 11th September 2010.
BRONZ Federation (Inc) is the collective voice to represent ALL BRONZ Branches and of course all of NZ’s motorcyclists with no bias of gender, age, class of license, type of bike, or lifestyle.
The Federation is composed of 2 delegates from each current regional Branch:-
Otago – Bob Gillespie and Nat Voight
Auckland – Finn Neilsen, Stephen Dodge
Timaru – Maurice Jones, TBC
Wellington – Brent Hutchison, Byron Cummins
Taranaki – Mel Fox, Sandra Heal
A Spokesperson for the Federation and a Secretary/Treasurer were also voted in:-
Federation Spokesperson - Brent Hutchison
Federation Secretary/Treasurer - Kim McGill
The Branches will be the driving force, bringing the issues they face to the Federation for it to take to Government via the appropriate channels. The Federation will communicate back to the Branches on issues it is dealing with that affect us at a national level and request their input.
The newly formed Federation will also be open to communication and cooperative approach from all Motorcycle Organizations in New Zealand to assist in achieving desired and achievable outcomes and representation for all Motorcyclists.
BRONZ as a collective can lay direct claim to having led the National Protest Ride last year, the BIKEOI, with the help and support of its Branches and other groups such as WIMA, Ulysses, HOG and many others.
We continue to contest the need for the levy increase, and have also achieved direct representation on the ACC Motorcycle Safety Levy Establishment Group, overseeing the funds ring-fenced for Motorcycle Safety projects (more info at :- www.acc.co.nz/motorcycle-safety-levy.co.nz )
BRONZ was also invited by the ACC Minister to join the recent visit to Victoria to study the model in place there, and gain understanding of what may work for New Zealand.
The Federation wishes to thank all the BRONZ Regional Branches for their cooperation and support.
Brent Hutchison
BRONZ Federation (Inc) Spokesperson
027 6543 110
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
ACC Levy: Vicroads Meeting
Vicroads Meeting
The ACC minister Nick Smith recently invited representatives from BRONZ, Ulysses and AA to accompany him on a trip to Victoria to learn how the Motorcycle Safety Levy (MSL) is used there. Some inconvenient truths were revealed to the Minister, such as the fact that the Victorian authorities have no problem with cross-subsidisation across vehicle types and the fact that all projects related to the MSL fund had to be approved by a committee of representative motorcyclists. Les Mason’s write up is
below:
Vicroads Visit
We now have to pay an extra $30 per bike per year for a "safety levy". Three million dollars annually.
Many bikers have intimated that this money will become a slush fund for junkets or be spent on things that should be funded from other sources. They fear that biker money will provide benefits for everyone but bikers.
BRONZ forcibly represented these concerns to the Minister.
The Minister then suggested that representatives from BRONZ (and Ulysses, MNZ and AA) accompany him to Victoria to see first hand how the scheme works there
We took him up on the offer and went along to see the Vicroads[1] ministers and bureaucrats. They were confident their scheme was effective. "Prove it." we said. Being cynical and suspicious ourselves, we also asked some Victorian bikers how it worked for them. We can now summarise what we found:
Victoria has a TAC[2] scheme, very similar to the motor vehicle part of ACC. Like ACC , TAC pays out more in motorcycle claims than it takes in motorcycle levies. TAC don't regard that cross subsidisation as evil. They recognise that cross subsidisation occurs at many levels and that fairness and affordability are more important.
On average the Victorian total TAC levy on a bike is similar to our ACC levy in cost, at around $400 a year. Unlike ACC however, you only have to pay the TAC safety levy on one bike. The Australian officials said it wasn't hard to administer.
So, where does the Victorian levy money go? And how do bikers stop it being hi-jacked?
Victorian bikers have a group called VMCA on which biker organisations are represented . No levy money can be spent on anything unless VMCA agree. We liked that. But the list of possible projects and the priorities those projects have is set by the Minister, not the bureaucrats.
So far, about 65% of their money has been spent on infrastructure improvements. Fixing corners, providing flexible posts, putting guard strips over wire rope barriers (Yes!) . These are all things that make crashing less painful.
The reason the system has been productive is largely due to the suspicious and cynical nature of Victorian bikers. They demanded proof that the money spent was actually stopping biker injuries. Infrastructure improvements produce easily measurable results, but that emphasis is changing as the scheme matures.
The overall figures tell their own story. More bikes on the road, but deaths are down 20% , serious injuries down 32%. This comes at a time when fatalities and injuries have gone up in every other state, and New Zealand. The levy money in NZ needs to be spent wisely and motorcyling groups need to play a key role in deciding what will work best for them.
September 2010 Newsletter
Welcome to the September edition of the BRONZ newsletter. Included this month are details on the Motorcycle Safety Levy developments and a list of upcoming events. Keep the sunny side up!
BRONZ Meeting
The next BRONZ meeting will take place on Wednesday September 15th at 7.30pm at Danish House, Rockridge Ave, Penrose. Meetings take place once a month, on the third Wednesday of the month. We would love to see some new faces so if you wish to contribute please come along.
Vicroads Meeting
The ACC minister Nick Smith recently invited representatives from BRONZ, Ulysses and AA to accompany him on a trip to Victoria to learn how the Motorcycle Safety Levy (MSL) is used there. Some inconvenient truths were revealed to the Minister, such as the fact that the Victorian authorities have no problem with cross-subsidisation across vehicle types and the fact that all projects related to the MSL fund had to be approved by a committee of representative motorcyclists. Les Mason’s write up is attached.
BRONZ Blog
All the BRONZ newsletters are now available online here.
News updates will also be posted and the blog includes direct links to the BRONZ website
Local Road Safety
Noticed loose gravel, slippery tar snakes, pot holes or a diesel spill on a nearby road?
Report road hazards to the relevant agency and help protect yourself and others from the danger.
The contacts for Auckland are listed below.
BRONZ also has business cards with this information on them available upon request.
NZ Transport Agency: 0800 444 449 1(North Island)
0800 444 449 1(South Island) www.nzta.govt.nz
Manukau City Council: 09 262 5104 www.manukau.govt.nz
Waitakere City Council: 09 839 0400 www.waitakere.govt.nz
Auckland City Council: 09 370 2020 www.aucklandcity.govt.nz
North Shore City Council: 09 486 8600 www.northshorecity.govt.nz
Events:
RRRS
Ride RIGHT Ride SAFE is a rider training course that runs once a month. Divided into alternate riding and non-riding segments, the course is made up of riding and classroom segments. Exercises in motorcycle control, counter steering, including its use for cornering, as well as exercises in braking and the theory of motorcycle control, techniques of motorcycle riding and protective gear are all included.
When: Next course September 19
Upcoming Courses: October 17, November 21
Where: Whenuapai Air Base
Cost: $60 for full day
Contact : Finn on 09 625 5533 or 027 484 6326 or bronzrrrs@hotmail.com
2010 Pink Ribbon Ride
When: Sunday October 10th, 9.30am
Where: Auckland Netball Centre car park, 7 Allison Ferguson Drive, St Johns, Auckland
Depart: 10.30am sharp!
End Venue: Western Springs Stadium car park
Why: To raise awareness of and money in support of Breast Cancer victims
Contact: Julez on 021 614 646 or vist www.wima.org.nz
Badges will be on sale for $10. The non-riding public is invited to meet at the end venue to show their support, enjoy a BBQ and inspect the spectacle of assembled motorcycles.
If you are aware of any upcoming events please contact the webmaster on bronzweb@gmail.com, with details on what and when and a contact number. Alternatively you can contact BRONZ via P.O. Box 96187, Balmoral, Auckland, 1342
BRONZ Blood Run
When: Tuesday October 19th, 5.30-7.30pm
Where: Epsom Blood Donor Centre, 71 Great South Road (Behind Dilworth School)
Why: To help save lives
Contact: Lars at bronzruns@gmail.com
Badges will be on sale for $10.
If you are aware of any upcoming events please contact the webmaster on bronzweb@gmail.com, with details on what and when and a contact number. Alternatively you can contact BRONZ via P.O. Box 96187, Balmoral, Auckland, 1342
Useful Links:
Aims of BRONZ:
To Promote road safety through road user education
Education Rather Than Legislation Saves Lives
To protect and promote the rights of the motorcyclist to decide his/her own future as a road user
Let Those Who Ride Decide
To promote and protect the general welfare of the motorcycling public
What Does Being A Member of BRONZ Mean?
BRONZ is a voluntary, non-profit organization. Your membership fee goes back to you, the member, via research into proposed legislation and road safety, regular newsletters and other social activities (eg Toy Runs, Blood Run, Easter Egg Run).
Your membership entitles you as a member and a motorcyclist to a say in how the organization is run. You are entitled to vote on issues that will affect the future of motorcycling and you may contribute anything that you feel is important. You are not obliged to attend any meetings or other functions regularly, although to get the full benefit of what BRONZ offers it is suggested that you avail yourself to as many as possible.
Branch meetings are open to everyone, members are welcome to bring a friend.
Being a member of BRONZ does not interfere with membership of any other organization or club. As a member of BRONZ you are expected to behave in a manner that will not be detrimental to the good name of BRONZ and the image of motorcycling.
Contact BRONZ
Les Mason
Auckland President
021 781 322
Les.mason@gmail.com
Finn Nielsen
Ride RIGHT Ride SAFE Coordinator
09 625 5533
bronzrrrs@hotmail.com
Peggy O’Neal
Secretary
09 638 9227
bronzauckland@hotmail.com
John Maloyd
Webmaster
021 894 988
bronzweb@gmail.com
David Cohen
Press Officer
09 523 5308
mail@davidcohen.co.nz
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
August 2010 Newsletter
Welcome to the August edition of the BRONZ newsletter. Included this month is the President’s Report from 2009/2010, an update from BRONZ Wellington and details on upcoming charity rides. Read On and Ride Safe.
BRONZ Meeting
The next BRONZ meeting will take place on Wednesday August 18th at 7.30pm at Danish House, Rockridge Ave, Penrose. Meetings take place once a month, on the third Wednesday of the month. We would love to see some new faces so if you wish to contribute please come along.
AGM
Prior to the usual monthly committee meeting a very brief meeting will be convened to ratify the decisions taken at last months AGM, in accordance with clause 7.5 of the constitution. Final election results will be announced in the next newsletter.
The President’s report for 2009/2010 is attached.
BRONZ Blog
All the BRONZ newsletters are now available online here
News updates will also be posted and the blog includes direct links to the BRONZ website
Motorcycle Safety Levy Establishment Group
BRONZ Wellington have recently attended the first meeting as members of the ‘Motorcycle Safety Levy Establishment Group’. This group will act as a steering group, helping to ensure the funds earmarked for motorcycle safety actually go back towards motorcyclists. The full ACC press release on the group can be read here, and an extract is included below:
“In March 2010 the Government approved the introduction of a Motorcycle Safety Levy (MSL) to help fund motorcycle safety initiatives to reduce injuries and fatalities to motorcycle, scooter and moped riders.
… ACC has set up a MSL Establishment Group to develop the foundations for how the MSL programme will be administered and operated.
The establishment group is made up of eight people representing the following groups: Ulysses Club of NZ Inc, Bikers Rights Organisation of NZ (BRONZ), Women’s International Motorcycle Association (WIMA), Motorcycling New Zealand, Scoot NZ, NZ Classic Scooter Club, Motor Industry Association, Ministry of Transport and the NZ Transport Agency. Seven of the group members are motorbike or moped riders.”
Local Road Safety
Noticed loose gravel, slippery tar snakes, pot holes or a diesel spill on a nearby road?
Report road hazards to the relevant agency and help protect yourself and others from the danger.
The contacts for Auckland are listed below.
BRONZ also has business cards with this information on them available upon request.
NZ Transport Agency: 0800 444 449 1(North Island)
0800 444 449 1(South Island) www.nzta.govt.nz
Manukau City Council: 09 262 5104 www.manukau.govt.nz
Waitakere City Council: 09 839 0400 www.waitakere.govt.nz
Auckland City Council: 09 370 2020 www.aucklandcity.govt.nz
North Shore City Council: 09 486 8600 www.northshorecity.govt.nz
Events:
RRRS
Ride RIGHT Ride SAFE is a rider training course that runs once a month. Divided into alternate riding and non-riding segments, the course is made up of riding and classroom segments. Exercises in motorcycle control, counter steering, including its use for cornering, as well as exercises in braking and the theory of motorcycle control, techniques of motorcycle riding and protective gear are all included.
When: Next course August 15
Upcoming Courses: September 19, October 17, November 21
Where: Whenuapai Air Base
Cost: $60 for full day
Contact : Finn on 09 625 5533 or 027 484 6326 or bronzrrrs@hotmail.com
Blue September Coastal Bike Ride
The blue September Coastal Bike Ride is a ride around the coastline of NZ. This is an event to support Blue September during September. The purpose of the ride is to raise awareness of Prostate Cancer which kills 600 men every year throughout NZ.
Riders may join the ride at any stage throughout the country and are asked to contribute $10 towards the Prostate Cancer Foundation in exchange for a commemorative patch and BBQ sausage. Please wear a blue scarf if possible.
When: Saturday September 4th, 1pm
Where: Caltex Grand Drive, Orewa
Why: To raise awareness of and money for the Prostate Cancer Foundation
Contact: John Bourne on 022 640 5738
2010 Pink Ribbon Ride
When: Sunday October 10th, 9.30am
Where: Auckland Netball Centre car park, 7 Allison Ferguson Drive, St Johns, Auckland
Depart: 10.30am sharp!
End Venue: Western Springs Stadium car park
Why: To raise awareness of and money in support of Breast Cancer victims
Contact: Julez on 021 614 646 or vist www.wima.org.nz
Badges will be on sale for $10. The non-riding public is invited to meet at the end venue to show their support, enjoy a BBQ and inspect the spectacle of assembled motorcycles.
If you are aware of any upcoming events please contact the webmaster on bronzweb@gmail.com, with details on what and when and a contact number. Alternatively you can contact BRONZ via P.O. Box 96187, Balmoral, Auckland, 1342
Useful Links:
Aims of BRONZ:
To Promote road safety through road user education
Education Rather Than Legislation Saves Lives
To protect and promote the rights of the motorcyclist to decide his/her own future as a road user
Let Those Who Ride Decide
To promote and protect the general welfare of the motorcycling public
What Does Being A Member of BRONZ Mean?
BRONZ is a voluntary, non-profit organization. Your membership fee goes back to you, the member, via research into proposed legislation and road safety, regular newsletters and other social activities (eg Toy Runs, Blood Run, Easter Egg Run).
Your membership entitles you as a member and a motorcyclist to a say in how the organization is run. You are entitled to vote on issues that will affect the future of motorcycling and you may contribute anything that you feel is important. You are not obliged to attend any meetings or other functions regularly, although to get the full benefit of what BRONZ offers it is suggested that you avail yourself to as many as possible.
Branch meetings are open to everyone, members are welcome to bring a friend.
Being a member of BRONZ does not interfere with membership of any other organization or club. As a member of BRONZ you are expected to behave in a manner that will not be detrimental to the good name of BRONZ and the image of motorcycling.
Contact BRONZ
Les Mason
Auckland President
021 781 322
Les.mason@gmail.com
Finn Nielsen
Ride RIGHT Ride SAFE Coordinator
09 625 5533
bronzrrrs@hotmail.com
Peggy O’Neal
Secretary
09 638 9227
bronzauckland@hotmail.com
John Maloyd
Webmaster
021 894 988
bronzweb@gmail.com
David Cohen
Press Officer
09 523 5308
mail@davidcohen.co.nz
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