BOMBSHELL. MNZ and ACC Trail ride plans

**Ktmboy** · 3rd June 2011, 21:03

Right, where to start.

Some may have a better insight into this but I'll lay out the knowledge(yes, some may be hearsay) on what I have been hearing on the proposed changes or at least the course that MNZ,ACC and the Dept of Labour are going down.
I'll start with a few things and let the thread develope in the hope that if events take a turn for the worse then we as an off road comunity can band together. The changes if they happen will effect all events not presently covered by MNZ.
This will include The Sandpit, Epic Events, Over the Top Adventures, Ken Fells, Ardmore, MR Motorcycles trail rides, Dome Valley, Power Adventures etc etc.

They want to generate a code of safety standards and ethics which I feel is not a bad thing as we have all been to rides and races where the track and the standard of arrowing etc is not up to par. This is all good.

But how are they going to change this. Well the idea is that they will require a card type system to ensure every man, women and child with a dirt bike in NZ is licensed.
This means that when you turn up to a trail ride an official will be present with maybe an eftpos type machine to swipe you card. Of course who pays for this. You do.

Also the promotor will have to be audited and will have to pay for some beaurecrat from MNZ to check the track and be present during the event.
Again who pays?
This is all being done behind closed doors with MNZ and Wellington. This I do know.
One would think that people who run these events would be consulted. Waitemata MCC for example as an senior MNZ club would surely know what is being proposed and be against this as they run really great and affordable trail rides.
I've probably opened a huge can of worms and there are many more questions to be asked and answered but its better to be forewarned I guess.

**Rupe** · 3rd June 2011, 21:19

don't like the sound of all this.

Are you saying as well as a license we will have to pay a acc levey to ride??? or have I got that wrong?

**flyingcr250** · 3rd June 2011, 21:25

so what does that mean for places like the farm?

**Ktmboy** · 3rd June 2011, 21:30

Theoritically...When you turn up to the Poutu trail ride you will present your card(which you have paid for) to sign on and this will be recorded for the record.
ACC and MNZ could then have all your details on how often you crash, how much you cost the system.
Of course the ride will now cost you $50 instead of $35.

Imagine that during a trail ride an official pulls you over and asks for your license. This is being rediculous of course.

**Ktmboy** · 3rd June 2011, 21:33

Originally Posted by flyingcr250

so what does that mean for places like the farm?

Anywhere you pay to ride. In Aussie as I understand its anywhere you ride regardless of if you paid or not.

**Woodman** · 3rd June 2011, 21:37

What if you are riding a road legal fully rego,d bike on said trail rides? The ACC levies are already paid.

**t595** · 3rd June 2011, 21:42

Looks like illegal riding will make a big comeback...

**Ktmboy** · 3rd June 2011, 21:42

Originally Posted by Woodman

What if you are riding a road legal fully rego,d bike on said trail rides? The ACC levies are already paid.

aaarh, next question.
As I said the closed door approach to this is the worrying part. Where is the consultation with the riders and the operators.
I know one of the indiviuals involved and this person is only a recent convert to the off road scene and has very limited experience with event management. He is employed as a "Project Manager" for this by MNZ.

**vr4king** · 3rd June 2011, 21:44

Hmmmmm I will reply in the morning I have very strong opinions on this which im sure some people wont agree with

GOOD THREAD TOPIC

**Ktmboy** · 3rd June 2011, 21:45

Originally Posted by t595

Looks like illegal riding will make a big comeback...

Correct. That is a major concern especially as its hard enough to get access to land.
Landowners will then tell us all to take a jump.
Unfortunately Wellington are removed from such activities.

**krad_nz** · 3rd June 2011, 22:36

Thanks for the info Tony. Thought something like this may raise its ugly head.

Soon enough you will need a license to play rugby, soccer or mountain biking. Where do you draw the line.

**RJM** · 3rd June 2011, 23:36

It will be unfortunate for the price of trail rides to go up but I don't think paying for a 'rider registration' card would be a bad way of collecting funds.

I felt pretty bad after countless visits to the hospital last year after breaking my foot at The Sandpit. I would hate to think what my total bill was and I hadn't contributed anything compared to a road (car or bike) where the users have already contributed to ACC.

**krad_nz** · 4th June 2011, 00:37

Well we all already pay for any and every sort of injury via ACC levies from our rego etc.

So if they now take further ACC money via some sort of dirt bike license system I bet they won't reduce the other existing levies.

I really enjoy riding without having to worry about licenses, rego fee's, WOF's etc etc.

**K6K** · 4th June 2011, 01:45

Originally Posted by RJM

It will be unfortunate for the price of trail rides to go up but I don't think paying for a 'rider registration' card would be a bad way of collecting funds.

I felt pretty bad after countless visits to the hospital last year after breaking my foot at The Sandpit. I would hate to think what my total bill was and I hadn't contributed anything compared to a road (car or bike) where the users have already contributed to ACC.

You paid ACC levies in your bike fuel, car fuel and your wages like the majority of NZ does. ACC levies are included in wages, fuel and registration costs because it is an effective way for everybody to pay a relatively even share. Your levies included the 'insurance cover' for additional risk associated with riding bikes or any other risky activity.
Being singled out to pay extra levies based on one activity means your share increases because you have a higher risk of injury. It is unlikely that offroad M/C increases your overall risk significantly more than hundreds of other activities in NZ. If offroad M/c attracts more levies then every other activity from climbing ladders to horse riding to running with scissors should also pay for the higher risk. Then all the 'high' risk activities that are levied separately can be removed from the normal levies resulting in big discounts!!