There are far more car related deaths each year than motorcycle accidents.We dont damage the roads or congest or polute as much as cars.This is just a knee jerk reaction by the government to line the coffers with our money as the try to put motorcyclists off the road.

Forget charging the motorcyclists higher Rego Fees, how about charging these lycra clad nutcases on pedal bikes fees. People riding pedal bikes should be charged some sort of fee considering how much of a mess a car can make of them.

RT #28, these "roadlice" you talk about are taking on the government who are deliberately lying about the figures and twisting data to generate stats they can use for their own agenda. These same tactics will be used against yourself if no-one stands up against it. No-one is exempt from being targeted, and don't believe the government propaganda being spewed out through the media.

I've seen many car drivers do the same stupid things you mention, but I don't call all car drivers "roadlice", and the motorcyclists I ride with certainly don't ride like you say.

To "Fairness" Your sums are inaccurate and ignore fairness, which seems ironic. Are you also proposing that rugby players, netball players, runners, children, etc pay levies equal to what they use?

@Alan #47 FYI Alan I already pay more in rego and acc levy that you. My last rego cost $326 of that was $252 in acc.

This is on top of the tax from my income. And as you state Acc is in the no blame game so why are motorcyclists being blamed and being asked to pay more?

Next thing I reckon will be increases for car drivers because they are smaller and more likely to die in accidents with Trucks.

It is widely believed that this whole mess is being engineered in preparation for potential privatisation of selected ACC Accounts (e.g. Work Place, Motor Vehicle). Motorcycles today, cyclists tomorrow, sports later, then tourists? Will those of you slagging motorcyclists change your tune when it's your turn to be shafted?

Privatisation will no doubt come with "terms of cover" and if you are in breach of those terms you will be out of luck and will be forced to pursue legal action. That will open the floodgates of liability litigation and we will quickly slide down the same slope as the US is notorious for.

Do we really want to go there???

If it is purely on risk - put in some levies for bicycles - put in more levies for sports - charge men more than women - put in high levies for children, who are at risk from being run over (yes this is stupid - that is how the 'motorcyclist is at risk so should pay for others driving badly' argument plays out).

Also - ACC takes in (quite a bit) more than it pays out. Looking at the books many media, political commentators and ourselves, think the current proposals - which target others as well as motorcyclists - are unnecessary. Especially given latest news:

"Recoveries in the investment performance of the ACC and New Zealand Superannuation Fund portfolios helped offset a dramatic fall in corporate and personal tax in the three months to September 30, according to Treasury financial statements released today." http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/3030124/ACC-Super-Fund-boost-govt-finances

Once again this turns into an arguement about accidents and fault. Focus on the topic guys, and forget about the distractions of the blame game. If ACC were administrated correctly we wouldn't be having this debate. If ACC claims were handled better there would be no reason to raise anything.

@Rachel#10 Just shows how much attention car drivers show eh. I ride 12 kms each way to work and home and yes I see at least 1 mad motorcyclist but I also see 10 that are obeying the rules. I also see 10 times that many car drivers tail gating so close that they constantly have to hit their brakes and constantly move prior to indicating.

Most of the 'I didn't see you' incidents happen at intersections, usually where a car doesn't want to slow down to give way and properly check if anything is coming, or where they decide to turn right across the traffic and misjudge distances, don't look propoerly or think a green light (not arrow) means they can go. They do it to other cars and cyclists as well as motorcycles.

Would you rather have a motorcycle ride between the traffic where safe to do so (when it is stopped or moving slowly) or have more vehicles in the lanes further increasig congestion and slowing your journey.

I've found a great lot of very considerate drivers (and riders) on the roads, but there are also some high profile bad drivers, who don't indicate (or do AS they move - not giving any warning) or who get angry with motorcyclists or cyclists who are moving through the traffic (rain or shine - there is nothing to stop you also joining the motorcycle or cycle fraternity if you are jealous folks - but if you do, please bring a good attitude).

Our concerns are about fairness, and that the proposals are presented misleadingly and seem to be just bad policy.

The so called $77 subsidy times 2.6m passenger cars and vans is three times $62m, so where does that figure come from? It might work if they were proposing to pay us to ride motorcycles instead of charging us, but that certainly isn't the case.

The proposal to charge big motorcycles more also seems to be based on faulty premises. They seem to think big motorcycle = open road = expected higher costs to fix. But only 1/3 of accidents happen on the open road, and in a good many of those the motorcyclist isn't at fault (according to the Police and MoT, not just an opinion). Using the same logic though, cars (say over 1500cc) and cyclists on the open road should pay more - and our tourist slogan could be "don't leave town till you've paid ACC to see the country".

You also have the situation where inexperienced drivers in a 3 litre car with blow off valves and other mods are paying around a third of what a 40 year old on an 850cc motorcycle would pay - is that really sensible or fair?

Most cities promote motorcycles to reduce congestion (and road maintenance and building costs) and emissions - in London there is no central city charge for motorcycles or electric cars.