Motorcycle Protest Ride, Labour Weekend Saturday
25th October 2002
Press statement re Motorcycle Protest Ride, Labour Weekend Saturday
The National Committee of the Ulysses Club of New Zealand is well aware of the frustration felt by motorcyclists over
the current ACC levy proposals, which are seen by many to be unfair and discriminatory. The Labour Weekend Ride to
Wellington is a legitimate form of protest and we defend the right of every motorcyclist to take part. While the club
does not officially sanction the ride, we believe that it signifies the level of disappointment and anger that
motorcyclists feel at the lack of consultation with the motorcycling community over issues that directly affect them.
There has already been a well-supported multi-club protest ride organised in Dunedin during August, which drew very
positive publicity and feedback at the time.
The Ulysses Club represents 3000 mature riders who derive great pleasure from their chosen form of recreation. The club
is very concerned with rider safety and many branches undertake their own training programmes. The majority of
motorcyclists take their own and road safety in general very seriously as can be evidenced from the high usage of
protective clothing, well maintained machines and full co-operation with the appropriate authorities in the case of
charity rides etc.
The Club is working closely with ACC on a series of community road safety programmes to be run early in 2003. These
relate directly to increasing the level of motorcycle awareness among motorists. We are represented on the Motorcycle
Safety Reference Group, which is looking at a number of other issues that affect motorcyclists. The Ulysses Club is also
involved in a lobby group with the Motor Vehicle Dealers Institute, the New Zealand Motorcycle Distributors Association
and the Motorcycle Importers Association. We have made a joint written submission and had an extremely useful meeting
this week to discuss the concerns of motorcyclists in person with ACC.
The Ulysses Club has been very proactive in encouraging its members and others to make their feelings known to ACC
through the submission process. We understand that there have been over 1100 submissions sent in by the cut-off date. It
is our hope that the views put forward in these submissions are taken fully into account when the final levy
recommendations are made to the Minister for ACC, Ruth Dyson.
For and on behalf of the National Committee and the members of the Ulysses Club of New Zealand Inc.
(signed) P.J.McIntosh
Peter McIntosh, National President, Ulysses Club of New Zealand.