Wire-Rope Traffic Barriers Must Go
Cheesecutter Campaign Group

Motorcyclists are angry about the increasing use of wire-rope barriers on New Zealand's highways. They believe that these barriers are being used in the face of growing international evidence that clearly shows these barriers threaten the lives of motorcyclists.

"A recent death on Auckland's southern motorway where a rider and his motorcycle were cut in half by a wire-rope barrier has unified and incensed New Zealand's biker community," spokesperson Col Allen said. "Bikers are tired of having their safety concerns ignored by regulators and traffic planners. Enough is enough.

"We want urgent action to prevent further unnecessary biker deaths and injuries. Bikers are urging our traffic safety policy-makers to take heed of European safety studies about wire-rope barriers and take steps to remove all barriers where these put at risk the lives, health and safety of motorcyclists. Countries like the United Kingdom have banned the use of these barriers. Others have placed significant restrictions as to where and how they can be used," he said.

"As a minimum we are asking for a moratorium on the construction of wire-rope barriers until officials have had a chance to examine what we believe is compelling evidence and develop traffic barrier options that are safer for bikers.

"Any deaths or injuries caused by wire-rope barriers are avoidable. We believe that our transport officials and traffic planners use wire-rope barriers primarily because they are comparatively cheap and easy to erect.

"We want to work alongside the relevant road safety organisations to develop solutions that reduce road accidents and the personal deaths and injuries that result. Meanwhile we want no more wire-rope barriers on New Zealand's roads," spokesperson Col Allen said.

Note to editors: Detailed information about various European road safety studies can be found at www.cheesecutter.co.nz.

A protest ride to Parliament, involving several hundred riders, will be held on Saturday 10 November.

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