Abolish TAC Antibike Tax

In 2011 Victorian riders are unfairly taxed over $61 a year on most road motorcycles & scooters. This gives the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) and VicRoads over $7 million a year on top of registration fees and compulsory third party insurance premiums.

Over the 8 years from 2002 to 2010 motorcycle & scooter vregistrations have increased by 58% to 162,091 & licence holders rose by 36% to 325,977 (VAGO Report - Feb 2011).

Road bike casualties are down 25% but CTP premiums do not reflect it.

The tax is hidden in other road costs and justified as a safety levy. Failing to itemise this bill on the registration form may be legal but it's not ethical. And, some riders have been taxed for more than 1 road bike. That's been illegal since January 2008 but you have to persist if you want a refund from VicRoads.

While this tax is collected no real safety budget, as for other road users like bicyclists, will happen.

The tax was introduced in 2002 without consultation. It was introduced at $50 via the state budget. It was later indexed to rise each year. It singles out and penalizes a small but significant group in society for their choice of transport. No other transport mode is discriminated against in this way.

When pollution, fuel costs and traffic congestion are serious problems in society and the numbers of commuters on bikes has doubled, responsible authorities encourage the safe use of environmentally-friendly vehicles that do little damage to infrastructure.

It is VicRoads policy not to do anything that could be construed as encouraging motorcycling. The Age. Page 11. July 15, 2011.

Making motorcycling cost more is dangerous. Some riders cut back on maintenance and/or protective gear others go back to cars. Single-occupant cars are 70% of traffic congestion.

Most vulnerable road user casualties are caused by car driver error. The Victorian antibike tax is bad for road safety, bad for the environment and bad for commuters trying to save time & money.