MSAC, The Motorcycle Safety Advisory Council

MSAC Meeting Minutes: December 2016

Meeting of the Motorcycle Safety Advisory Council
Wednesday 7 December 2016, SenateSHJ, Dimension Data House, Wellington, 8.30am – 3.45 pm

20 Dec 2016

Present:

Mark Gilbert (MG) – Chair, Janice Millman (JM), Jo Buckner (JBu), David Golightly (DG), David White (DW), Alan Petrie (AP), Johan Bosch (JBo)

Secretariat:

Tracey Bridges (TB) SenateSHJ; Tracey Jury (TJ) SenateSHJ (minute taker)

Visitors:

Stu Ross (SR) ACC; Mike Noon (MN) General Manager – Motoring Affairs, AA

Apologies:

Andrew Darrell

1.0 Welcome, updates and administration

1.1 Chair’s welcome and overview of agenda

  1. Apologies from council member Andrew Darrell.
  2. Interests register noted]. MG reminded members to review and update register.
  3. Updates to be made by DG, AP and MG.
  4. Minutes from last meeting proposed by AP, seconded by JBo, carried by all.

1.2 Correspondence since last meeting

  1. Correspondence is up to date. Continuing to work toward a 24-hour response time.

1.3 Action items from previous meeting

  1. All items were completed or covered by the meeting’s agenda items.

1.4 Chair update – activity report

  1. MG reported on recent presentation at TRAFINZ conference (16 November), saying it was an effective engagement exercise. He noted content of presentation was provided in papers and can be shared and used. Council members discussed the safety messages communicated through the presentation and media release, and ways to achieve better coverage for those messages.
  2. Council liked the “crisis” theme of the press release as a way of engaging and starting a conversation.
  3. TRAFINZ attendees were interested in the number of crashes caused by visiting motorcyclists, especially in the South Island. NZTA and ACC have been contacted regarding this question and are discussing how to find it. SenateSHJ noted that the inclusion of the safety Z-cards in TRAFINZ conference packs had prompted Thames-Coromandel District Council to request copies of the Z-card for use in its region.
  4. At TRAFINZ MG connected with the Marlborough Motorcycle Road Safety Group. The group runs regular Biker Brekkies and other events in the motorcycle safety space. This concept deserves consideration as a way of MSAC connecting to its rider stakeholders.

1.5 Member roundtable: other actions or updates since last meeting

  1. AP noted opportunities to engage with suppliers and noted they were willing to engage on ABS and other issues regarding PPE and vehicle technology. Council noted the important role of the Motor Industry Association in this regard and asked AP to actively advocate and revert.
  2. DG reported on his involvement in next year’s Kickstart event in Christchurch. He will keep members informed of progress and opportunities for MSAC.
  3. JM reported on events that she has recently attended, including Pink Ribbon Ride and Auckland Transport Motorcycle Breakfast. JM noted both were positive and the Motorcycle Breakfast was a good engagement opportunity. Council members discussed the value in having branded name badges to support positive engagement at events such as this- this was agreed and will be actioned.
  4. Members also discussed rider risk rating, training, and licensing as priority focus areas for Council.
  5. JBu noted that her club has been investigating completing Ride Forever training as a group.
  6. JBo noted that many riders rode the Coromandel Loop in association with the Paeroa Races in February and asked if there was an opportunity for MSAC to attend.

1.6 Actions:

  1. Draft website item about rider training as a group, in association with JBu (SSHJ).
  2. Continue to work with NZTA to learn more about crash statistics for visiting motorcyclists in the South Island (SSHJ).
  3. Send Z-cards to Thames-Coromandel District Council (SSHJ), and consider canvasing other local bodies.
  4. Draft and distribution media release and website piece emphasising safety in the lead-up to the Paeroa Races (SSHJ).
  5. Investigate name badges for Council members (SSHJ).
  6. Develop a motorcycle safety opinion piece for mainstream media (SSHJ).
  7. Send updated interests to SSHJ to add to register (MG, DG, AP).
  8. Monitor motorcyclist engagement opportunities (such as Biker Brekkie events) to add to the events calendar (All Council members).

2.0 Communications and engagement

2.1 Environment scan – media and website updates

  1. TB explained recent media monitoring, noting crashes continue to dominate coverage. MSAC media coverage and messaging is picked up most often by motorcycling and transport media, presenting an opportunity for engagement.

2.2 Motorcycle route survey

TB noted a good response from the joint MSAC, ACC, NZTA Motorcycle Route Survey.

The survey was shared widely on social media by Council and by then motorcycling community and gained positive coverage.

Council members asked to be kept up to date on next steps regarding the survey.

2.3 ACC Summer Campaigns

  1. TB updated Council on ACC’s two summer campaigns which have been developed with MSAC support. One is focused on increasing Ride Forever participation. The second on raising other road users’ awareness of motorcyclists.
  2. Council members discussed branding on these campaigns and MG noted that the government approach is to use Safer Journeys branding on road safety communications as a general rule. Council members acknowledged this approach, noting the importance of ensuring other channels (such as MSAC website and media materials) communicate the Council’s role in these initiatives. SenateSHJ is working with ACC to determine a consistent approach to branding.

2.4 Actions:

  1. Continue to work with ACC to agree guidelines for branding (SSHJ), and ensure follow up for Council members regarding the motorcycle route survey.
  2. Complete Ride Forever training, and update SSHJ so website articles can be prepared (All Council members).

3.0 Thought leadership and initiatives

  1. SenateSHJ facilitated a workshop to identify the Council’s priority initiatives for 2017.
  2. Discussion focused on progress against past actions, top priorities as identified by the Council following October’s meeting, and creating robust propositions for ACC and other safety partners.

3.1 Past actions discussion:

  1. Council members discussed the progress of the below past initiatives:
    – Making Roads Motorcycle Friendly (NZTA/MSAC)
    – High Risk Route survey (NZTA/ACC/MSAC)
    – Review of policy gaps relating to scooters and mopeds (Ministry of Transport/Transport Agency).
  2. Council agreed that they would like to be updated on these initiatives at the February meeting.

3.2 Key conclusions:

  1. Council members agreed that a great deal of progress has been made against initiatives since September 2015. More follow up and transparency between ACC and MSAC would be welcomed.
  2. Council members agreed to seek involvement in the ‘single source of truth’ project, through involvement of DW in ACC’s working group. This was proposed by MG, carried by all.
  3. Council would like to consider the idea of a motorcycle summit to focus on motorcycle safety, possibly as part of the Ride Forever show in Auckland next year It discussed engaging with AA, ACC, Police, MoT and NZTA to develop the concept and a terms of reference.
  4. Council decided on top three priorities for 2017 (more detail below). Two council members are responsible for championing each priority and reporting back at meetings.

3.3 Council priorities and champions:

  1. Rider engagement (JM, AP)
  2. Rider Safety Rating (DW, JBo)
  3. Training (DG, AD)

3.4 Actions:

  1. NZTA progress with Making Roads Motorcycle Friendly document to be monitored and reported to Council at February meeting (SSHJ).
  2. Coromandel Loop update from Rob Bullick - detailing changes planned for Northern section- update at February meeting (SSHJ)
  3. Results and actions relating to motorcycle route survey provided to Council when available
  4. All reports initiated by MSAC or under the MSL to be moved onto the Shared Space (SSHJ).
  5. Follow up with Ministry of Transport/NZTA on review of policy gaps relating to scooters and mopeds – due April 2017 (SSHJ).
  6. Contact Stu Ross at ACC about participating in ‘Single Source of Truth’ project after letter has been sent (DW).
  7. Fill in investment process template for priority initiatives (identified at meeting), and send to SSHJ by 26 January for inclusion in February meeting papers (all Council).

4.0 Talk by Mike Noon (MN) General Manager - Motoring Affairs, AA

MG welcomed Mike Noon and thanked him for joining the meeting.

MN presented on history of AA and MSAC, and discussed how AA and MSAC could work together in the future.

4.1 Areas of focus included:

  1. The rising road toll. Ministry of Transport are currently investigating reasons for this.
  2. Promoting vehicle technology and supporting ABS on motorcycles – AA supports ABS on motorcycles.
  3. The importance of PPE and rider training – particularly focused on young males riding sports bikes.
  4. Motorcycle messaging in New Zealand focuses on harm – in other areas of the world, conversation is more positive.
  5. AA’s database of riders and opportunities for MSAC’s content to be shared to this database. Mike Noon suggested Directions might be an appropriate place to talk about motorcycle safety.
  6. Motorcycle summit – AA supportive of idea.

4.2 Actions:

  1. Contact editor of AA Directions to discuss content opportunities (SSHJ).

5.0 Report from ACC

Stu Ross (SR) from ACC joined the meeting to present a programme update. Key areas of focus included:

  1. Council advised Dave Keilty will replace Carey Griffiths as Motorcycle Programme Manager. Council noted that they would like to present to new team members to help them understand the ACC/MSAC relationship.
  2. ACC are prioritising motorcycle safety, and rely on Council to give them a motorcycling perspective.
  3. Council expressed their desire for accountability and timely delivery of initiatives, and to be kept informed of upcoming projects. Council would like ACC to update them on expected timings on the accident data report, and also to follow up with NZTA about the rejection of the camouflaged image originally intended for the “See a Bike, Save a Life” summer campaign
  4. The Ministry of Transport is working on the Single Source of Truth project and timeframe for delivery is end of February – March. Council discussed earlier resolution to include DW in this project, and SR agreed that Council should proceed.
  5. SR noted that there was a number of responses during the levy consultation process. ACC will investigate the response rate and report back to Council.
  6. SR presented more information on ACC’s Return on Investment process, noting that not all projects need to meet ROI as long as the portfolio as a whole is balanced.
  7. ACC will present a high level view of planned investment in the motorcycle programme at the February meeting. Council were told to expect high levels of investment in roads and roadsides/training, and a smaller level of investment in PPE and technology. Council said it would like to see diversity in ACC’s approach.

5.1 Actions:

  1. Arrange for MSAC to present to new members of the ACC team, either at a MSAC meeting or as a one-on-one with MG (SSHJ).
  2. Ask Transport Agency who is in the cross sector motorcycle group and give feedback to Council (SSHJ).
  3. Send ACC’s meeting presentation to Council (SSHJ).
  4. Follow up with ACC about investigation into levy consultation responses – doubled number of responses in 2016 (SSHJ).
  5. Confirm timings of accident data report by ACC and give feedback to Council (SSHJ).
  6. ACC to actively follow up the “One Source of the Truth” data and obtain reporting requirements and to achieve MSAC needs, accept DW as part of the project team.

6.0 Other matters

DW took the council through the shared workspace. Council members agreed to use the shared workspace for sharing MSAC documents.

DW noted that the ACC contact for the shared workspace needs to be updated following Carey Griffiths departure.

Members also discussed the next meeting, suggesting that there be time in the agenda to go over the shared workspace in more detail and to discuss the events calendar.

6.1 Actions

  1. Secure RealMe logins to enable use of shared workspace, update with list of engagements. (All Council members)
  2. Remove CG’s access to shared space and replace with ACC contact.
  3. Upload latest version of MSAC stakeholder presentation to shared workspace (SSHJ)
  4. Include time to go over events calendar and shared workspace in next meeting agenda.

7.0 Close and date of next meeting

The meeting closed at 3.45pm. The next meeting is scheduled for 2 February 2016.