On-going areas of interest
Road Side Barriers
Representatives of BRONZ Otago met with Transit in late 2007 to express concerns about road side barriers including wire rope barriers. BRONZ Otago asked that the impact of motorcyclists hitting barriers be considered in the development and use of road side barriers. Transit locally agreed to put our concerns and comments to Transit National Office.
On 16 June 2008 the Federation of European Motorcyclists Association (www.fema.ridersrights.org) put out a press release. European Union members have agreed to "develop a European Standard, which reduces the impact severity of motorcyclist collisions with safety barriers, considering the existing national standards and the possibilities of present day technologies". A new part is going to be added to the existing EU standard (EN1317). It will contain "provisions for the evaluation of the performance of safety barriers under impact by a powered two-wheeled vehicle rider sliding along the ground."
In the Otago Daily Times 28 June 2008 it was reported that Transit is going to co-fund a two year study, along with New South Wales & Western Australian authorities, to find the safest road side barrier for motorcyclists.
BRONZ Otago continues a watching brief on this issue, and others. To get more information about joining Bikers Rights Organisation Otago go to the "joining us" page to get our membership form. Membership to BRONZ Otago is only $30 a year. The more motorcyclists who join BRONZ Otago the greater our voice.
To view the general policies of BRONZ go to www.bronz.org.nz
Road Safety
A not so gentle reminder as to why road safety is important to every one. Some of you may say its a bit much but sometimes reminders like this are what it takes.