Protest motorcyclists will ride to Smith's door

Hundreds of Nelson motorcyclists will kick-start national ACC levy protests with a ride to the office of ACC Minister and Nelson MP Nick Smith this weekend.

The rally will involve Nelson social riders, known as Route 6, supported by other motorcycle groups, including Ulysses.

Organiser Steve Page said Smith had agreed to "have a bit of a chat" with riders after Saturday's rally, which will leave the Richmond Show Grounds mid-morning.

Marlborough and West Coast riders were expected to join the Nelson protest against the proposed annual motorcycle levy increases of up to $500, he said.

Ulysses national president Peter McIntosh backed regional protests rather than a national rally. "Mass rides have so many inherent problems," he said.

McIntosh was disappointed at the way the ACC was using crash figures to paint motorcyclists in the worst possible light.

The tight submission time frame for the proposals left little room for considered debate, he said.

Ulysses Canterbury co-ordinator Mike Dew said plans were still being made for a Christchurch protest.

- © Fairfax NZ News