Motorcyclists protest Christchurch ACC levy hikes ahead of court challenge

Ahead of that challenge, Chapple will seek interim orders to prevent the increases from happening before the court rules on the decision’s legality.

Hundreds of motorcyclists gathered on the steps of the High Court at Christchurch today in support of a legal challenge to ACC levy increases. Photo / Anna Heath

The proceeding does not ask the court to decide whether motorcyclists should contribute to ACC levies.

Instead, it focuses on whether the method used to establish and allocate those levies was lawful, rational, procedurally fair and supported by the information available to decision-makers.

About 50 motorcyclists lined the steps of the High Court as Chapple prepared to enter the building for the hearing.

Engines rumbled, and loud cheers erupted from the crowd in support of Chapple.

Tens of motorbikes arrive at the High Court at Christchurch to challenge ACC over a new engine-size levy, asking why the same rules don’t apply to cars. Photo / Anna Heath

Chapple said motorcyclists were being unfairly targeted for what was, for many, a recreational activity.

“The majority of motorcyclists are using motorcycles on the road as recreation,” he said.

“No one’s paying any extra because cyclists suffer a large number of injuries, or skiers, or any of the other large recreational groups who are more injury-prone than others.

“It would be fair for motorcyclists to pay only the same as cars.”

Motorcyclists lined the steps of the High Court building in Christchurch this morning. Photo / Anna Heath

At the centre of the challenge is also ACC’s use of engine capacity as a measure of risk.

MAGNZ spokesperson Richard Tohu said ACC needed to explain why engine size was used to determine levies for motorcycles but not for other vehicles.

“If engine capacity is a reliable and lawful basis for risk-rating vehicles, why does ACC only apply it to motorcycles?” Tohu said.

“A high-powered performance car driven by a young driver has a very different injury-cost profile from a small hatchback, yet ACC makes no distinction.

“New Zealand riders are entitled to know why motorcyclists are being singled out for a methodology ACC does not apply to any other class of vehicle.”

Among those supporting the challenge was long-time rider Graham Sayer, who lost part of his leg following a motorcycle crash.

Graham Sayer said he was riding a 250cc motorcycle when another driver crossed into his lane and stopped. Photo / Anna Heath

Sayer said he was riding a 250cc motorcycle when another driver crossed into his lane and stopped.

“I got hit when I was riding my motorbike at 50km/h on a 250cc motorcycle,” he said.

“I now ride a 1000cc motorcycle, and they’re saying that because I ride a higher cc rating, I’m more prone to having accidents.

“I’ve lost a lower leg because of that injury. That happened on a 250cc – not a big bike.

“It’s not right that I’m having to pay extra for the higher cc rating.

“A person who owns a V12 Lamborghini pays no extra for their registration because of engine size.

“Yet because I ride a bigger motorcycle, they’re saying I have to pay.”

In May, a mass ride-along event took place in Auckland to protest against the levy increases.

The mass ride-along began at Onepoto Domain on Auckland’s North Shore before heading across the harbour bridge and looping back.