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Source: ONE News -
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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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Post new commentmouthguard said on 2009-12-10 @ 14:59 NZDT: Report abusive post
The unfair bit is this: the ACC forms for accident claims have a wee box that you fill in about how it happened. If you mention a motorbike, then that statistic goes on.This includes farm bikes that are responsible for a lot of injury claims, but are responsible for no ACC levies as they are not registered. That is why you are being screwed roadbikers. Blame the farmers, levy them, it is only fair.
Pucky said on 2009-12-10 @ 14:41 NZDT: Report abusive post
I'm sorry that Tiggy obvously doesn't understand bikers. I myself live in a family of bikers. All of whom are resposible, sensible riders. Why does this person believe if a car (or truck) hits US it is us who should pay? Does tiggy also believe if they get hit by a larger vehicle then they should pay for there own treatment? We already pay higher registration fees. Bikes also produce less greenhouse gases surely this should be taken into account.
tiggy said on 2009-12-04 @ 13:22 NZDT: Report abusive post
Bikers should pay up! If you choose to ride a bike and your involved in an accident you will suffer a more serious injury, doesnt matter if its your fault or not. Choose to ride..choose to pay!!
diogenes said on 2009-12-03 @ 00:51 NZDT: Report abusive post
I also am thoroughly disgusted with these antics and I am not a biker although have been and was contemplating selling our older second car and buying a new 250. Looks like that ain't now going to happen! Using cc rating as any sort of a yardstick anyway is a joke! I've known of souped up 125s blowing the pants off 250 cruisers. Somehow cc rating is being equated with speed. I'm with bikers all the way in opposing this iniquitous hike in charges! And .. last time I'll be voting National!
wasteoftime said on 2009-12-01 @ 21:07 NZDT: Report abusive post
Agree it is totally unfair, but we riders don't help ourselves by blaming others. Fact is a third of bike crashes only involve the bike, of the rest half are the riders fault and half the other drivers. So at least 2/3 are the riders fault, and you could say that if you get hit by a car you generally deserve it for not riding defensively. Sometimes we shouldn't shout too loudly - just give it the berries when nobody is watching.