Sun - 09:18 AM
05-Sep-2010

Remember that as of the 1st July 2010 the new higher ACC levies will be applied when you register your bike. The WIMA mag had a suggestion about how to postpone the pain to your pocket - remember to get in and sort that out in June.

Around 6000 motorcycles and many more people on foot turned up for the "Bikeoi" in November 2009 to protest the huge increases proposed to motorcycle levies. The rally was peaceful and eloquent, giving the lie once again to stereotypes about motorcyclists, and reminding people we are a positive community. But we don't think the Government listened.

What is wrong with current ACC levies on motorcycles?
While the levy increases for cars and motorcycles aren't as bad as first suggested, this is mainly because they have decided to extend the length of time they give current drivers and riders to pay for past accidents they didn't fund properly (around half the current levy cost) while making us pay full current and future potential price for any that happen now. Not because they decided to make us pay less.

So despite our strong protests, yes, we are paying more than one generations worth of ACC levy, and yes it is high, and yes we do mostly pay a full levy on cars too and per motorcycle... no they didn't listen.

Income compensation is a large chunk of the motor vehicle account costs, which seems unfair because a) that means people on low incomes effectively subsidise those on high incomes; and b) sports and home accidents are covered through income levies (a more equitable accounting, based on earnings).

We'd like to see, if improving safety is really an aim, a car rate for our ACC levy on providing proof of completing safety training and owning decent gear when registering motorcycles.

Looking over a longer timeframe, accidents per motorcycle are declining. Those on smaller motorcycles are more likely to have an accident. Spikes appear to be in those learning or relearning skills - definitely a reason to ensure there is training (if someone doesn't own a motorcycle for ten years a refresher might be in order before they think about going out and buying a new one, particularly if they are eyeing up a 1000cc muscle bike).

Multi-ownership or self-subsidisation is not typically noted in calculations or the advertising ACC paid for trying to get motorcar drivers to support what they proposed (unsuccessful in many cases given the unsolicited comments many non-motorcyclists made to me and others about the unfairness of it).
In Australia the ACC levy is only paid on the first motorcycle - easily managed as the registration details show multiple use and the slightly spurious claim that those who ride motorcycles share all our vehicles around could be easily overcome by issuing dealer-style plates that we move from one vehicle to another - obviously meaning those who do share their vehicles with friends/family that don't have one of their own would have to have extra plates to do so.

We think the approach to ACC levies on motorcyclists is unfair, and would like to encourage everyone to think of creative ways to get some part of the message across to the public and politicians.
More information: http://www.bikersagainstacc.org.nz/

What are the Levies?
New levy rates are shown below.

Other ACC Issues
All of us, motorcyclist or not, are also affected by other changes this Government has made to ACC - which remember has reserves of over 3 times each year's expenditure and in 2008 took in $4.1b in levies and paid out only $3.1billion in claims and its own running costs. That's a billion dollars spare - doesn't sound too broke to me!

- Removal of cover for some work-related deafness, disease or infection

- Exposure to chemicals, asbestos, etc through work

- Having to use your holiday pay if you have some before getting ACC (how unfair to those who save holiday pay for rest or trips!)

- Losing ACC wage cover when judged able to do a job with a fraction of the skills and pay from before the accident for only 30 hours a week?

- Reduced cover for work injuries for seasonal work

The proposed risk changes will increase the costs of administration and lawyers and reduce cover, all while they also put up our ACC levies on income, motor vehicles, etc.

ACC Protest Rally, Parliament, Wellington 17th November 2009 - Watch the YouTube Videos and Read more.....

This is the official website of WIMA, the Women's International Motorcycling Association. The views and comments are those of individuals and should not be taken as the official opinion of WIMA, its officers or member as a whole.