CENTRAL PLATEAU SCOOTER CHALLENGE

Get your motors runnin'! 

Impressed by the success (both in terms of goodwill generated and money raised) of the South Island's Tranz Alpine Scooter Safari (see KR Aug '10), Wanganui scooter rider Terena Currey has organised a North Island version, the Central Plateau Scooter Challenge.

The inaugural Challenge is on Saturday March 26 with all proceeds going to the Child Cancer Foundation.

"The idea," says Terena, "is for a group of scooterists to ride from Wanganui to Taupo on 50cc scooters. Anyone can take part in the Challenge although I would prefer it if the scooters were as small as possible. It is after all a Challenge!"

"We will be leaving Trafalger Square Car Park in Wanganui at 7.30am and heading on a route that takes us first to Bulls, then up State Highway 1 to Taupo. There will be several stops along the way to relieve numb bottoms, and refuel both people and scooters. All stops will have toilets available and the chance for refreshments. More info is on the website, www.centralplateauscooterchallenge.co.nz.

"What I am after," Terna told Kiwi Rider, "is for people to gain sponsorship (a bit like the 40 hour Famine) for Child Cancer, which can be done by a straight donation of a set amount e.g. $20 for the run, or by sponsoring someone per km e.g. 10c per km. A fundraiseonline webpage is available for each rider and this link is under the 'Donate' tab on the website. It's easy to complete and a great way for people to get sponsored.

"The website will be regularly updated with information regarding the run, a form to register yourself and/or team, and other information such as the prizes available, t-shirts and even how to maintain your scooter for the challenge!

"It costs nothing to enter the Challenge, but I do encourage people to do their best with the fund-raising; you could get a fantastic prize if you win the category for the most money raised, best dressed male/female, best dressed scooter and many more..."

Already entered is Blair Newton (the man who's own battle with cancer inspired some Air NZ employees to set up the original Tranz Alpine Scooter event, plus Bonnieville Salt Flats regular Alan Thoreson of Black Thunder Racing.

Transport will be available from Auckland for scooters (first in, first served) and the email address is available on request. It works out to be about $35 per scooter return journey.
"Discounted accommodation in Taupo is available at Camelia Court Family Motel, $25 per person for the night. Cabin with linen provided, again the link is on the website under "Accommodation" on the website.

Terena says she was prompted to put togetehr the challenge after she discovered that the Child Cancer Foundation doesn't receive ANY government funding.

"The volunteers that try to raise money for the CCF are all parents who have either lost a child to cancer, or have a child that is in the process of going through treatment. The love and support that these people give to other families with a sick child is amazing and heartwarming. But they do need help with getting money to help the families afflicted with cancer. That is why I'm doing it!"

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WHITE RIBBON RIDE SET TO RUMBLE

Ric Odom and his Goldwing

The White Ribbon Ride in November will visit more than 40 towns in the North Island on a road trip to help end violence towards women.

The motorcycle ride, organised by the Families Commission as part of the White Ribbon campaign, will start in Tauranga and travel south through the centre of the North Island to Wellington and then north via eastern and western routes to Auckland and Bream Bay, visiting some 40 local communities.

“I’m delighted that the ride is being supported by motorcycle enthusiasts,” says Rob McCann who coordinates the White Ribbon Campaign for the Families Commission. “The inaugural ride in 2009 was fantastic and the riders were met with enthusiasm, and a few too many sausages, whereever they went. I’m sure that the positive experience from 2009 is why we have so many riders asking for ‘ride 10’ details.

“During the last few years New Zealand has seen a growing intolerance of violence and this has been reinforced by the ‘It’s Not OK’ and White Ribbon campaigns. This rejection of family violence, and specifically violence against women, has led to increased reporting and is also reflected by the increasing number of communities taking part in White Ribbon Day activities,” says Mr McCann.

“I was recently asked why White Ribbon Day was a call to men? The answer is simple. Men want to be part of the solution. This is an opportunity to show leadership and create role models for the next generation, and in doing so, break the cycle of violence.”

By offering an activity that speaks to other men, the ride can engage with communities in a way that is exciting and creates attention.

Ric Odom, owner of a Honda Gold Wing, National CEO for the YMCA and a member of the White Ribbon organising committee, participated in the White Ribbon Ride last year and encouraged some of his YMCA colleagues to join him. He says, “I had a great experience last year. Not only did I get to ride my bike for more than 800 kilometres, I had a real feeling that we contributed to making New Zealand a better place. At each location we were met by communities that were excited that men were making a stand against violence.

“Powerful bikes equal a powerful message, but we need riders to join us and show that men do care about our communities, our homes and our families. All violence is unacceptable. The ride is the perfect opportunity to show we’re against violence towards women.”

For further information about the White Ribbon Ride visit http://www.whiteribbon.org.nz/

Key Messages:
No violence within families is tolerable. If someone within the family is being frightened or intimidated by the behaviour of someone else, it is not OK. Violence isn’t just the physical, it’s also emotional or verbal behaviour used to control someone through fear. Things we say, or don’t say, contribute to the abuse.
White Ribbon Day is the international day when people, particularly men, wear a white ribbon to show they won’t tolerate, condone or remain silent about violence against women.
It originated as a men’s movement in Canada and is now part of the United Nations annual calendar (International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women). The Families Commission took a leadership role in New Zealand in 2006.
Whether you are a father, brother, uncle, granddad or cousin – we all want to keep our families safe. We all want our children to grow up and have happy healthy relationships.
By simply wearing a white ribbon you can make it clear to other men that you do not tolerate violence against women.
You can also make sure your home, your business or your sports club is a safe environment where abusive behaviour is not tolerated.
The White Ribbon Day campaign encourages men to talk openly about family violence, to support men who want to change their abusive behaviour and to challenge comments, statements and actions by men that are abusive.

Statistics in New Zealand
In New Zealand most violence towards women takes place in the home.
In violence between couples, it is men’s violence that is most likely to cause serious physical or psychological harm.
An average of 14 women a year are killed by their partners or ex partners.
There are over 3500 convictions recorded against men each year for assaults on women.
One in three women will experience partner violence at some point in their lives.

The Families Commission and White Ribbon Committee works with multiple agencies and NGOs to coordinate the national campaign. The White Ribbon campaign complements but is separate to the family violence It’s Not OK campaign.

The White Ribbon Ride
The White Ribbon Ride is now into its second year. The structure of the ride is significantly different to that of 2009, with one ride travelling south on State Highway One and then two rides travelling north via eastern and western routes. The ride is led by the Super Maori Fullas (Mervyn, Roger and Mahu Rawiri) and the Patriots Defence Force Motorcycle Club whose members are former or serving members of the armed forces or police.
For further information about the ride visit www.whiteribbon.org.nz

Rules include:
No alcohol or drugs are permitted on the ride
No patches
Must have motorcycle of 250cc or greater
Must agree to the pledge that ‘Wearing a white ribbon is a personal pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women’

The Pledge
Wearing a white ribbon is a personal pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women.

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ANOTHER ERA, ANOTHER TITLE FOR KING

The podium for the over-40s veterans at the Australian
Motocross Championships this season was
(left to right) Stuart McFerran, Darryll King
and Brad Williscroft. Photo by Kajx Communications.

By Andy McGechan

Old soldiers never die, they just keep on fighting.
That could certainly be said of Hamilton’s Darryll King.
It may have been six years since the Kiwi legend last won a major national title in Australia but he rolled back the clock in July when he made it Australian motocross title No.4.
King won the prestigious open class titles across the Tasman on three separate occasions – in 2001, 2003 and 2004 – and he returned at the weekend to snatch away the over-40s veterans’ crown, an official championship for the first time this season.
The 41-year-old raced his Yamaha YZ450F to a hat-trick of wins at the Coolum circuit, this inaugural veterans’ championship sharing the programme with the eighth and final round of the open class (MX1), pro lites (MX2) and under-19s championships.
“In the end I did it fairly easily but there are still some very fast riders at the top of their game in the veterans’ racing,” said King, who had earlier this season also raced a Yamaha YZ250 in the pro lites championship.
“It was a neat track and (promoter) Kevin Williams does a great job. I always get fantastic support from Yamaha over there too. All in all, it was a brilliant weekend.”
Meanwhile, fellow Yamaha rider Cameron Taylor won the 35-40 years’ veterans’ title with a similar display of dominance, taking a clean sweep of moto wins.
King now looks ahead to contesting the final round of the World Veterans’ Motocross Championships at Lierop, in the Netherlands, on September 4.
A jam-packed personal calendar meant King has been unable to mount a full campaign in Europe this season, but, at the only other round of the world series he attended, the United States GP in May, he finished the day overall runner-up.
King twice finished second that day, both times behind fellow Yamaha rider Doug Dubach.
“I’m really looking forward to racing in Holland,” said King. “That’s why I raced the YZ450F four-stroke instead of the YZ250 two-stroke in Coolum. I need to be riding the bigger bike in the deep sand of the Dutch track.”
King said he is still uncertain whether he will be able to mount a full campaign in the veterans’ class in Europe next season but “the calendar is out already and it just might suit me.”

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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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