Like many of you I was at the Wellington Bikeio and whilst we may have succeeded on the day, the ACC levy battle is far from won….. so what is next? What would be the ultimate protest motorcyclists could make?
The following is one thought, and I stress that I am not condoning what could be seen as illegal activity.
If motorcyclists do not get the ACC and the Government to back down from the proposed unfairness of the currently proposed increased motorcycle registration levies then the following ‘ultimate protest’ is possible.
1.) Motorcycle owners with multiple motorcycles will only register one motorcycle. They will swap number plates to the bike they are riding at any one time.
2.) As motorcycles come up for re registration, protesting motorcyclists will place their motorcycle registration on hold for (say a minimum of) 6 months by completing form MR24 ( Application for Exemption from Continuous Licensing,) at their local Post Office. This will halve their annual registration cost however they will continue to ride their bike as before. Naughty them.
Legal Implications.
Both the above actions are illegal under current law. Some motorcyclists may be prosecuted, if this is the case, then it is recommended they should plead ‘not guilty’ and call on other motorcyclists to create ‘fighting funds’ to fight the cases citing amongst other things;
• The unfairness of the current ACC levies.
• The unfairness of the ‘pre vehicle ACC cost.’
• The unfair discrimination against motorcyclists versus (say) cyclists.
Several Motorcycle clubs have ‘reserves’ which could be used to help such a ‘fighting fund.’ Last time I looked Ulysses NZ had over $100,000 in accumulated funds and while I can’t speak for them or other such groups, it may be seen as a good use if such funds to help their members fight a few well chosen (and publicised) ‘test’ cases. Care is needed as the ultimate protest is not about making Lawyers rich, any legal action will need to be carefully considered on its merits.
Likely Results of such a protest;
a) Within 12 – 15 months Motorcycle registration fees will drop up to 50% on their current levels. This lower ‘fee take’ is the essence of the motorcyclists protest. Motorcyclists will only support a vehicle registration system that is fair.
b) At any one time up to 50% of the motorcycles on the road may be effectively unregistered.
c) Some motorcyclists may get fined, but as the fine for ‘no vehicle registration’ is $200, this fine is perhaps less than the proposed ACC increases. Whether or not fines are going to be paid, is the choice of each motorcyclist.
d) Courts will become more clogged as motorcyclists fight their cases.
Other Considerations;
Motorcycle Insurance. Some motorcyclists may be worried that an unregistered bike negates their motorcycles accident insurance. They will need to consider this carefully, however it is possible that case law indicates otherwise, as according to John Baker (head of the Motorcycle Insurance company that bears this name,) “non registration is not in itself a cause of an accident and therefore is not a reason not to pay accident insurance.”So while words to this effect were spoken to a recent meeting of Motorcyclists gathered in Taupo, different insurers may have different wording in their policy, so take care and make your decisions accordingly.
Of course this idea is the mere ramblings of a frustrated madman... but what if?
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Originally Posted by ready4whatever
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