Motorcyclists from across Otago revved their engines and squealed their tyres in Dunedin yesterday to protest a proposed hike in motorcycle registration fees and ACC levies.
A convoy of about 150 motorcyclists gathered outside McIver and Veitch, in Crawford St, to ride to the Carey’s Bay Hotel, before regrouping in the Forsyth Barr Stadium carpark and heading through the city centre to Bayfield Park.
It was among several other protest rides that took place around the country co-ordinated by Motorcycle Advocacy Group New Zealand (MAGNZ), which last month penned an open letter calling on ACC Minister and Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey to veto the proposed levy increases, and initiate a total review and overhaul of the motorcycle registration system.
Protest ride co-ordinator AJ Todd said there had been a good turnout as well as "a lot of revving bikes" to draw some attention.
"Protests are supposed to be loud, aren’t they?"
The proposed hikes were "just a money grab" and could result in a lot of people riding around on unregistered bikes because they could not afford to register them, Mr Todd said.
Fellow co-ordinator and Dunedin Charity Riders member Adam Black said motorcyclists were feeling "a bit singled out" by the proposed changes.
"Riding is not just transport for us, it’s therapy.
"It’s a lifestyle for a lot of us, and to enjoy that is becoming unattainable with all these fees."
