Bikers may take fees protest to Parliament

KENT BLECHYNDEN/The Dominion Post

UNEASY RIDER: Jemma Voice is unhappy ACC levies are going up.

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Motorcyclists could ride in protest to Parliament to draw attention to proposed increases of up to 330 percent in annual registration fees.

Ulysses Club national president Peter McIntosh said the proposed increases, resulting from significantly higher ACC levies, included a 330 percent rise for moped owners.

ACC Minister Nick Smith is expected to make a final decision on annual motorcycle levy increases next month.

Mr McIntosh said protest rides to Parliament could be organised as a last resort. He wants to co-ordinate a joint response from motorcyclists to Dr Smith before final decisions were made on the new levies.

Mr McIntosh owns five bikes. Under the new proposals, he will be paying about $3000 to register these bikes, compared with the $1300 he paid in registration fees this year.

"It's an insane situation, particularly when you also consider we've got two cars on the road," he said.

This year he paid $1615 to register all his bikes and cars – next year he could be up for a registration bill of $3571.

Most of the club's 3200 members owned two bikes or more. "A lot of people won't register their bikes over the winter months. Others will sell their bikes," Mr McIntosh said.

Lower Hutt moped owner Jemma Voice said she bought her 49cc moped new a year ago. She now faced a $200-a-year increase in registration.

"My partner rides a big bike. We're thinking about sharing the car to get to work now," she said.

ACC spokesman Laurie Edwards said car drivers had subsidised motorcycle and moped riders via annual registration levies for many years. "The new levies reflect the fact motorcycle riders are 16 times more likely to be involved in a road crash than any other road user and are far more likely to be seriously injured."

GOING UP

Owners of mopeds (bikes up to 50cc) will pay $257.58 in registration fees next year compared with $58.97 paid this year (an increase of 337 percent).

It is proposed to lift the registration levy on 125cc-600cc motorcycles from $252.69 to $511.43 (a 102 percent increase). Owners of 600cc+ bikes will pay $745.77 – up from $252.69 (a 195 percent increase).

It is also proposed to lift the registration levy on ordinary cars from $168.46 a year to $272.72 (a 62 percent increase).

- © Fairfax NZ News