Bikers Against ACC Levies: More Facts

Motorcyclists being charged twice

It is claimed that the ACC cost of motorcyclist related injuries in 2008/09 was $62m. This covers the cost of 3173 claims – BUT only 1336 of those claims were made in 2008.

ACC states they run a fully funded model – where claims in previous years are funded from funds put aside for the year in which the accident occurred AND ALL SUBSEQUENT YEARS of treatment, then motorcyclists are potentially being charged twice.

The real cost of 2008 motorcycle accidents is more like $26m.

Other groups are not paying their share

In 2008 there were 1475 motorcycle accidents and 50 deaths, and motorcyclists paid approximately $12.3 million in levies.

In 2008 there were 1170 bicycle accidents and 36 deaths - cyclists paid no ACC levies. Incidentally, bicycles are the most dangerous form of transport on a per kilometre travelled basis.

Similarly the ACC cost of walking/running related injuries in 2007 - 2008 was $189m.

Multiple vehicle owners being penalised

Multiple motorcycle or vehicle owners are adversely affected by the current levy system they can only operate one vehicle at a time.

Imposing the ACC levy on fuel is the only way of truly apportioning a no fault insurance cost pertaining to those people operating equipment with internal combustion engines, be it a motor mower, chainsaw, car or motorcycle.

ACC levies should also be tied to driver licensing - that way if a person has multiple vehicles, and obviously can only drive one at a time, they are not being financially penalized.
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Road going motorcyclists paying for non-registered motorcyclists

ACC take their motorcycle related injury figures from reports completed at hospitals, doctors surgeries', etc, in which case how are the figures separated that relate to non registered off road motorcycles?

It is a very popular pastime in the New Zealand to ride off-road bikes. Also the figures relating to bike/quad accidents on farms - and non registered motorcycle bike activities e.g. speedway, motocross, racing etc distort the figures.

Motorists provide the risk, so motorists should bear the cost

The motorist should pay 40% of the motorcyclist ACC incurred costs.

This is because 40% of all motorcycle accidents are due to drivers of other vehicles. (From research of all reported accidents (423) in the Auckland and Canterbury regions in 2008 taken from MOT Crash Analysis System - CAS).