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Hundreds of bikers around the country are stepping up their opposition to proposed ACC levy hikes by taking to the streets.
One of the changes on the table includes a levy increase from $252 to $735 a year applying to riders of machines over 600cc.
Protests in three of the main centres have attracted big turnouts.
More than 350 motorcyclists motored into the Auckland Domain to protest against the ACC charges.
The bikers were addressed by speakers including Labour leader Phil Goff, himself a motorcycle enthusiast, and had support from colleagues in other parts of the country.
"That sort of increase it's unprecedented, it's unwarranted and it's unfair," says Goff.
For 500 bikers, what could have been a nice Saturday ride from
Mosgiel into Dunedin has them fuming about the hikes.
"We hope to send to the government that we're not going to tolerate
this. We're going to stand up and we're going to say these levies
are ridiculous, a ridiculous increase to what we should be paying,"
says motorbike enthusiast Nat Voight, Bronz Otago.
Those gathered in the Octagon were told they are a minority that is being unfairly targeted.
In Christchurch, around 350 bikers protested and Progressives leader Jim Anderton called the planned changes "outrageous and unnecessary".
"You will be broke if the government has its way."
Those with the bigger bikes appalled they may soon have to pay nearly $750 a year in ACC levies.
ACC says it is consulting over the levys and they will be finalised in the next few months.
But the rally at Auckland's Domain heard that ACC's bitten off more than it can chew.
"I think we've probably surprised them with the force of our opinions and our turnout in the past few weeks and we're going to continue to protest," says Lindis Capper-Starr, Bronz Auckland.
Many of the bikers will now head to Wellington where a protest at Parliament on Tuesday is expected to attract thousands.
