NSW protest rally on August 31

The Motorcycle Council of NSW (MCC of NSW) has organised a protest gathering at Parliament House in Sydney on Tuesday, August 31, over what it claims are outrageous price increases following changes to the NSW Compulsory Third Party (CTP) scheme introduced on July 1.

According to the MCC, some riders are facing increases of nearly 100 percent, despite a dramatic decrease in fatalities since 1995.

In 1995 there were 8.9 motorcycle fatalities per 10,000 registered motorcycles in NSW, which deceased to 3.7 in 2008.

"I am calling on anyone who has ever enjoyed the freedom of a motorcycle or scooter to join us as we let the government of NSW and the insurance companies know we will not be their CTP cash cows any longer," said the chairman of the MCC, Rob Colligan. "For too long, the legislation that governs CTP , which is a wretched legacy from the Carr Government in 1999, has been letting the insurance companies do as they please without any transparency in what is a compulsory insurance scheme."

"There are almost 168,000 registered motorcycles in NSW and half a million motorcycle licence holders. There are more motorcycles and scooters on the road than ever and the road toll is going down.

"With more bikes on our roads, we will continue to see a marked reduction in congestion, pollution and parking problems, especially in major cities like Sydney.

"But instead of promoting greener transport, motorcycles and scooters are being financially driven off the roads with massive increases in CTP premiums.

"It's time for our political leaders to come clean on why they do not recognize motorcycles and scooters as unique and independent road users, instead of treating us as some sort of small car or some sort of problem."

Motorcycle parking has been arranged in Hospital Road, and if you aren't riding to work, the MCC of NSW would encourage you to wear your helmet on the train, bus or ferry to show your support.

The MCC is also asking all motorcycle business to close their doors from 11.00am until 2.00pm in a display of unity

The protest rally will commence at noon, with one politician already accepting an invitation to attend - the Shadow Minister for Roads, Andrew Stoner.

The state's Labor premier, Kristina Keneally, has also been invited.

"The government can ensure insurance company profits do not undermine the CTP scheme and it is time for the Keneally Government to answer to the people of NSW the hard question, of what is wrong with our CTP scheme," Colligan concluded.