South Australian motorbike licence cost set to double

by: Transport Reporter Michael Milnes
From: The Advertiser
April 27, 2012 11:00PM
 
Motorbike riders could be made to pay an extra $300 for a 10-year licence.

THE state's 170,000 motorbike riders face paying a new safety levy that could almost double their annual licence fees.

Angry riders say the move is a ploy to cut the number of riders on our roads, and any funding raised must be spent exclusively on motorcycle safety initiatives.

The Advertiser has been told the "River Murray" style annual levy would add $300 to a 10-year driver's licence fee of $370.

A motorcycle safety levy was proposed in the South Australian Road Safety Strategy 2011-2020 to fund road safety initiatives on "high-use motorcycle routes".

Road Safety Minister Jennifer Rankine said the Transport Department was considering licensing changes for riders and setting up a motorcycle safety fund.

"A motorcycle licence levy is being considered as part of these proposed initiatives," Ms Rankine said. "If introduced, funds collected from the scheme would be used to improve the safety of motorcyclists."

However, the Motorcycle Riders Association vice president Neville Gray said it could be similar to the $30 levy imposed on NZ motorcyclists.
"There are 168,000 motorcycle licences in SA and about 48,000 registrations so licences is a much bigger area, which means we pay less," Mr Gray said.

"It is discrimination of the highest order ... but (we) would love to have the money (for road safety).

"People will be screaming about it but we look at it as a chance to get some money to really do things.

"It is very much bittersweet."

The MRA is in talks with the State Government in the hope that a yet-to-be-formed Motor Cycle Advisory Council can have control of the expected $5 million a year raised by the levy.

"The money must go into funding motorcycle safety projects only," Mr Gray said.

Nineteen motorcyclists were killed on SA roads last year and five have died so far this year, the latest in a horror crash yesterday involving two motorcycles and a caravan on National Highway One at Mambray Creek.

Garage Motorcycles Strathalbyn owner and motorcycle trainer Mary-Lou Nees said the levy was a way for the Transport Department to reduce the number of licence holders and get motorcyclists off the road.

Opposition transport spokeswoman Vicki Chapman said the Government was so desperate to rake in money it was going to raise it from ordinary motorcyclists.

"We don't need another hypothecated fund under the guise of road safety, that's just a nonsense," Ms Chapman said.

this just come through to my email

we have had people in cars killed, why dont they (just car drivers) pay

make pushbike riders get a licence ...rego.......rwc..

what them freaks whine...

 No surprises here really. Governments have no extra cash, state or federal. So they come up with ways to reap what extras they need to keep the state or country in front come budget time, and assure themselves of the next self imposed pay rise, super for life , and the list goes on for as far as the pricks can put their snouts in the trough, and the only way they can get it when the rest of the world is doin it tough is from your average  aussie struggling to rub two zacks together while these fuckers dine out on caviar, champers and overseas trips

I heard about this yesterday from a friend, looks to only be a proposal at this stage, if it goes any further ther should be some form of rally against it.  We need to show we don't need to pay further for "safety" campaigns, as mentioned there are more car motorists and in the end we are already paying licencing fee.  

How about we (riders) propose a REDUCTION in licence fees if we have completed safe rider training etc, have comprehensive insurance (better than 3rd party).  Do you think the government would go for that?  I don't think so, there'll be all sorts of "reasons" why it can't be done.  In SA we have "stamp duty" which isn't a tax...cough, bull$hit..., how far off that is calling revenue raising a "levy" I wonder....