The controversial ACC levy hike affecting thousands of bikers across New Zealand will be reviewed after a massive protest.
Five thousand angry motorcyclists from as far away as Northland and Stewart Island took their message to parliament on Tuesday where they gave ACC Minister Nick Smith a noisy rev-up.
With the proposed changes, riders would have to pay $257.58, a raise from $58.97, to register a moped.
All motorcycle registrations currently cost $252.69. But from 2010/11 bikes from 125cc to 600cc would go up to $511.43, while those over 600cc will be $745.77.
The new scheme was proposed in a bill that would also cut back some ACC entitlements as the government looks to bring under control what it claims are large deficits.
However in a private meeting with some of the bikers, Smith indicated that although the levies will have to go up, it may not be as much as has been flagged.
"I think the size of the increase that the ACC Board has proposed is too much," Smith says.
"But I think it's inevitable that there has to be ACC increases across the board.
"The positive thing that came out of both the protest and the meeting was a real willingness to take steps to improve motorcycle safety."
Prime Minister John Key says he is of a similar opinion.
"The recommendations of increases are those recommended by the ACC board, they're not necessarily the ones the government will adopt," he says.
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