OFF THE WIRE
Outlaw rider "Mike" - Source: ONE News
Some motorcyclists are taking extreme measures to avoid paying what they consider exorbitant fees to register their bikes.
Pricey registrations have pushed some riders to say they would rather flee from police than get caught riding unregistered motorcycles.
It costs nearly $600 a year to register a motorcycle, with more than two thirds of that going to the ACC for levies.
The pricey registrations have turned riders like "Mike" into literal outlaws.
He refuses to register his motorcycle, and instead chooses to use a forged number plate.
"It cost me 15 bucks mate, that's cheaper than any registration you can get these days. I don't care about not having a sticker I've got the number plate," he told ONE News.
In the last five years more than 13,500 motorcycle owners have placed their registrations on hold.
Most owners choose to put their registrations on hold while they undertake repairs or restorations, but cost is also a clear factor.
Official papers obtained by ONE News show that Ministers are alarmed that some riders were prepared to break the law rather than paying the fees, leading ACC Minister Nick Smith to demand tougher penalties.
Smith would like to see penalties include 20 demerit points plus a $150 fine if caught driving an unregistered vehicle.
Transport Minister Steven Joyce told ONE News he "was happy to make the changes that Nick requested."
"While in many instances it's other drivers at fault it's also often motorcyclists at fault as well so it's important everybody pays," Joyce said.
Yesterday ACC Minister Smith announced proposed levy cuts for workers and employers but warns motorcyclists could miss out.
"The level of levy that is being collected from motorcyclists for accidents on the road where motorcyclists are responsible is still probably less than the actual cost," said Smith.
"So I don't think there will be room unless there is a dramatic improvement in motorcycle accidents for any relief."
Bikers Rights Organisation spokesman Brent Hutchison said he is unhappy with the announcement.
"I'm not very pleased with them I believe the motor vehicle account is the one over-performing due to the extreme amount of levies collected."
The cost of registering a motorcycle has been a controversial issue for some time, in 2009 5000 bikers took to the streets in protest at rising ACC charges.
Although the majority of motorcycle owners abide by the law, "Mike" says it is more cost effective to flout it.
"I've got a few biker friends and probably three are registered out of 40 bikes...that's just going to get worse and worse and worse."
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/high-registration-costs-create-outlaw-bikers-4300323
