Bikers protest outside Parliament

Parliament building and the Beehive, Wellington. Photo / Mark Mitchell

A horde of motorcyclists revved up to Parliament today to protest against ACC fees.

Earlier this month, Government said it planned to cut motor vehicle levies, and the average levy would fall from around $330 to $195.

But a group of around 150 users of large motorcycles said they still had to pay a relatively high fee despite an improving safety record and increased technological advances to make bikes safer.

David Teague, a spokesman for the Wellington chapter of the motorcycle said: "In some people's minds this is a small-fry issue. But when you look at 120,000 bikes owned and registered, that's a lot of votes and a lot of annoyed motorcyclists."

He said motorcyclists had been promised levy reductions by former ACC Minister Nick Smith if they improved their safety record.

Despite a 17 per cent cut in the number of motorcycle injuries in the last four years, people with bikes larger than 600cc still faced large levies.

Mr Teague said he paid $390 in ACC fees for his Triumph 1050cc as well as a $30 safety levy.

The group was disappointed that the revenue from motorbike riders was not being invested in measures such as making high-use roads safer, getting rid of barriers which were dangerous for riders, or subsidising safety gear and training lessons.

Large bike riders said they were discriminated against because they were associated with gangs, which was a false assumption.

Many of the riders were involved in charity rides and SPCA or children's events.