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Almost 6,000 bikers have descended on parliament to protest against a proposed hike in ACC levies.
One of the protest organisers Brent Hutchison told a gathering of around 500 bikers that 2,500 of their colleagues were currently jamming State Highway 1 from Paremata to Wellington and another 1,500 were coming down State Highway 2 from the Hutt Valley.
"We own the motorway, which is right since we paid for it," Hutchison says.
The bikers were mainly parking at Westpac Stadium and walking from there.
Hutchison accused the government of "raping and pillaging" ACC.
A group of 12 bikers met ACC Minister Nick Smith around 12.30pm.
While a rally organiser was addressing the crowd, Smith emerged to a less than welcome reception, the crowd all booing him en masse. This continued as the minister left to go inside with the delegation from the rally.
Hutchison says bikers had an alternative to ACC levy hikes to put to Smith, but would not say what those ideas were.
Labour Leader Phil Goff on the otherhand was greeted with cheers as he addressed the crowd.
A motorcyclist himself, Goff made mention of the fact those at the rally had been forced to leave their bikes at the gate.
Goff wondered why it was good enough when farmers came to Parliament for a National MP to drive his tractor up to the steps but it is not OK for the bikers to ride on in.
Several regional protest rallies were held around the country at the weekend.
Bikers wore signs declaring themselves "easy targets" for proposed ACC changes, while suggesting others may be picked off later.
Under the new scheme, the cost of registering a moped would rise $58.97 to $257.58.
All motorcycles currently cost $252.69 but from 2010/11 those from 125cc-600cc would rise to $511.43 while those over 600cc will be $745.77.
The government says the hikes are necessary to cover a blow-out in ACC costs.
Keep up to date with the latest traffic conditions on Wellington's roads on our Travelwatch Wellington page.
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Follow this story to ONE News at 6pm: Simon Bradwell is live in
Wellington with the latest news and reaction to the ACC
protests
Add a Comment:
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.