Motor-cyclists move for levy review

Press, 12 May 1984, Page 9

Motor-cyclists move for levy review

About 100 motor-cyclists converged on Cathedral Square last evening to present a petition including 2200 signatures opposing an increase in the Accident Compensation Corporation levy applying to motorcyclists. The motor-cyclists, riding about 70 motor-cycles, assembled at the Beckenham shopping centre at 7 p.m., and arrived in the Square at 7.15 p.m. The petition was circulated throughout New Zealand by the Canterbury branch of the Bikers’ Rights Organisation. Last evening it was handed to the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party and member of Parliament

for Christchurch Central, Mr Palmer, who will present it to Parliament. Mr Palmer told the assembled motor-cyclists that the petition would be considered in the first week Parliament sits this year. He said a question that had to be considered closely was whether accidents in which motor-cycles were involved were caused by cars or motor-cycles. Motor-cycles used considerably less fuel than cars, which was a desirable saving, said Mr Palmer. “If there were only motor-cycles. on the road, there would undoubtedly be fewer injuries,” he said. The presenting of peti-

tions was a legitimate form of protest in a democratic society, said Mr Palmer. “In a democratic society, Parliament is the last resort of the oppressed,” he said. The secretary of Bikers’ Rights in Canterbury, Miss Mary Jones, said the increase in the levy, which is incorporated in motorvehicle registration, was $7. She said 70 per cent of accidents in which motorcycles were involved were caused by vehicles other than motor-cycles. “We are getting hit the whole time by insurance, and here we are getting hit again,” she said.