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

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BRONZ 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 AKL 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.

The President’s report for 2009/2010 is attached.

BRONZ Blog

All the BRONZ newsletters are now available online here http://bronzcoms.blogspot.com/
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’.

“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    (North Island)
0800 444 449    (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

www.bronz.org.nz

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
Les.mason@gmail.com

Finn Nielsen
Ride RIGHT Ride SAFE Coordinator
bronzrrrs@hotmail.com
    
Peggy O’Neal
Secretary
bronzauckland@hotmail.com

John Maloyd
Webmaster
bronzweb@gmail.com
    
Big Dave
Press Officer
09 523 5308
mail@davidcohen.co.nz

www.bronz.org.nz

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ACC SETS UP ACCIDENT PREVENTION GROUP

The ACC has teamed up with representatives from key motorcycle, scooter and moped groups to look at ways to reduce motorbike injuries.

On 1 July, ACC introduced the Motorcycle Safety Levy (MSL) - a $30 annual fee for each registered motorcycle.

ACC is putting this money into a ring-fenced fund that will be specifically used on injury prevention initiatives to reduce the number and severity of motorcycle and moped injuries and fatalities.

To oversee the design of the programme, ACC has set up an establishment group. The group’s aim is to ensure the MSL programme is set up with motorbike and moped riders at the forefront. They met for the first time in Wellington on 14 July and their first task is to develop the foundations for how the MSL programme will be administered and operated.

The group is made of eight people representing the following groups; 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, Ulysses Club of NZ Inc. Seven of the group members are motorbike or moped riders.

Peter McIntosh, of Ulysses, sees the potential from the use of the MSL funds for motorcyclists.

“For the first time we will have a dedicated safety fund for us as riders with genuine input from the motorcycling community on what types of initiatives will really benefit us. The Government and ACC have made a genuine commitment to working with motorcyclists in the operation of the Motorcycle Safety Levy to improve the safety of all motorcyclists. It is now in place and the best thing we can all do is to take a positive step forward and support it,” said Mr McIntosh.

ACC is providing additional funding to cover administration, so that all funds collected are used directly on funding safety initiatives rather than on the administration of the programme.

ACC General Manager Injury Prevention Keith McLea says the MSL programme’s success depends on input from motorcyclists on its design and development.

“We want to ensure this programme is set up for motorcyclists by motorcyclists,” Mr McLea said.

For additional information or to register to receive updates about the MSL, visit www.acc.co.nz/motorcycle-safety-levy.


Additional information

Members on the establishment group include:
- Brent Hutchison, President of Wellington branch of Bikers Rights Organisation of NZ (BRONZ)
- Peter McIntosh, President Ulysses Club of NZ Inc
- Yvonne Forrest, Representative of Women’s International Motorcycle Association (WIMA)
- Paul Searancke, Commissioner: Recreation/Leisure of Motorcycling New Zealand
- Jess Corbett from Scoot NZ and the NZ Classic Scooter Club
- Clive Hellyar, Advisor from the Motor Industry Association
- Ministry of Transport representative
- Jim Furneaux, from NZ Transport Agency

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