Slight ACC easing won't stop bikers

Bikers are expected to keep pressure on the Government over their ACC levies. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Motorcyclists and car owners can expect a slight easing of proposed registration fee rises in new ACC recommendations out today.

But that will not stop the bikers keeping pressure on the Government for levies closer to the lower rises facing other motorists.

Although proposed legislative changes to the ACC scheme may soften the increases further, it was unclear yesterday what effect these would have on the corporation's latest recommendations.

Without changes, owners of bikes with engines larger than 600cc still face an increase of $445.92 on their annual registration fee to recover part of what ACC calls a subsidy from other motorists because of a higher risk of injuries faced by motorcyclists.

That would lift their annual ACC levy to $698.61 and follows a readjustment of figures by the corporation, which raised a storm of protest including a 5000-strong "bikoi" ride to Parliament when it initially recommended an increase of $493.

A rise of $224.12c is now proposed for motorcycles between 126cc and 600cc, compared with an earlier figure of $258.74c.

Moped owners face paying $177.57c more. That is down from $208.61c proposed earlier, but is still three times as much as an ACC levy of $58.97 now paid on mopeds.

Car owners face an increase of $65.97c on the $168.46c they now pay as an ACC levy on annual registration fees, compared with a rise of $68.91 initially proposed. After contributions to the national land transport fund, that would lift their overall registration fee to $313.37.

The ACC board is also recommending a 1.5c increase for each litre of petrol sold - to 11.4c a litre.

Chairman John Judge yesterday denied responding to any public pressure in easing the throttle on motorcyclists and car owners.

Meanwhile, a speech by ACC Minister Nick Smith to party faithful in Auckland last night was gatecrashed by about 100 angry bikers.

Mr Smith was giving a speech on the environment when the bikers turned up at the Royal Akarana Yacht Club on Tamaki Drive.

They wanted to know why riders of the 600cc-plus bikes were being hardest hit by the proposed new levies.

Dressed in fluoro vests, the bikers shouted Mr Smith down as he attempted to answer their questions.

* Reving up levies

Moped / motorcycles to 125cc: Up from $58.97 to $236.54

Motorcycles 126cc to 600cc: Up from $252.69 to $476.81

Motorcycles above 600cc: Up from $252.69 to $698.61

Cars: Up from $168.46 to $233.97