Smith defends motorcycle levy

Despite mounting outrage, ACC Minister Nick Smith is standing by proposed motorcycle levy increases and encouraging public debate.

His office received about a dozen concerned calls and several emails yesterday and staff were asking the public to make their concerns known via the submissions process, a spokeswoman said.

In a statement, Dr Smith said he was "at first quite taken aback" by the size of the proposed increases, but was more surprised at the cost of claims to ACC for motorcycle crashes.

"If the true cost was charged, the levies would range from $1200 for smaller motorbikes to $3700 for those over 600cc.

"Even with the levy increases, every car owner will be paying $77 per year to subsidise motorcyclists."

Claims car drivers caused many motorcycle accidents did "not negate the debate" as the cost of motorcycle crashes which did not involve cars still exceeded the proposed levy.

"New Zealand needs to have a considered debate about the escalating costs of motorcycle accidents, and who should pay.

"The Government believes there is a good case to vary the levy based on motorcycle size, given the accident data, but we have not predetermined the appropriate increase."

Phil Garrett, director of Street and Sport Motorcycles in Christchurch, said most motorcycle crashes were caused by another vehicle.

Motorcyclists would rise up against the changes, he said.

He also said the argument that ACC did not look at blame, just the cost, did not stack up as they did not target cyclists.

According to Transport Ministry figures, there were 1022 accidents involving cyclists last year and 38 deaths, Mr Garrett said.

The figures for motorcyclists were 1400 and 50 respectively.

"We pay a fortune in levies and cyclists pay nothing."

Proposed changes to vehicle licensing levies will result in motorcyclists paying up to $500 more a year, with car owners about $30 more.