Media release 24 October 2002
Motorcycle industry groups forms to ensure parity
for road users in ACC levies
A group of industry and motorcycle representatives has come together to make submissions on the ACC levies proposed for
2003/2004. The ACC is currently reviewing its annual levy on road users, and has put forward a number of options, one of
which would see a 66.6% increase in motorcyclists’ ACC levies. The motorcycle industry group believes that a punitive
approach will not achieve a long term reduction in the cost of accidents.
The group consists of motorcycle distributors, motorcycle dealers, and members of New Zealand’s largest motorcycle club,
the Ulysses Club.
The ACC’s review has resulted in more than 1200 public submissions received over a month-long consultation period which
ended last week. The prospect of a 66.6% increase in the ACC levy has angered many motorcyclists who feel they have been
unfairly singled out.
Although the motorcycle industry group is not involved, motorcyclists have planned a “Ride on Parliament” on Saturday 26
October, which illustrates the strength of feeling toward the ACC levy increase proposals by the general motorcycling
public, the majority of whom are also car owners. The industry group supports a positive approach for dealing with the
cost of accidents where a motorcyclist is injured.
The group’s case is based on the following points:
- Singling out one group of road users is unfair, particularly given the fact that other road users are often the cause
of accidents involving motorcyclists and there are other higher risk road users such as recidivist drunk drivers who are
not singled out
- The revenue gain is minimal (estimated at around eight million dollars) and as the levy cost goes up the cost of
compliance will increase with the prospect that revenue forecasts won’t be met anyway
- Pricing of the levy is based on historical data which doesn’t recognise a significant change in the current
motorcyclist profile
- The industry and others representing motorcyclists are involved in a number of positive initiatives in partnership
with ACC and that partnership will fail if the levy is unfairly increased or ACC’s “No Fault” philosophy is seen to be
ignored when it suits them to do so
These positive initiatives include:
- Incentives to encourage the use of effective protective clothing
- Community Programmes highlighting motorcycle awareness, by other road users, over the summer months
- Social Marketing campaigns
- Refresher courses and other motorcycling training incentives
The group says it is very concerned that ACC, the one Government agency taking leadership on the issue of reducing the
cost of accidents where motorcyclists are involved, may recommend a levy increase to the Government. They believe this
will destroy the good work already under way.
ENDS