The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) is running a pilot programme, which will offer experienced riders $100 cashback on their annual motorcycle registration (regos).

According to ACC, its Ride Forever coaching courses reduce the likelihood of riders having a crash. Now, it will incentivise as many riders as possible into taking them through the cashback offer.

ACC data shows motorcyclists make up 3% of the total motor vehicles on the road. Yet, in 2018, they made up 20% of the cost of road crashes – a total of 7,000 active claims for motorcyclists costing $102 million.

“One reason for this is due to the lack of protection motorcyclists have compared to other vehicles, making riders 21 times more likely to be killed or severely injured in a crash,” the insurer said.

Meanwhile, Acting Associate Minister for ACC, Peeni Henare said the two-year pilot enacts the government’s safer journeys strategy of developing opportunities to incentivise riders to develop their on-road riding skills.

Henare noted riders who have completed Ride Forever on-road coaching, are 27% less likely to crash and submit an ACC claim compared to riders who do not take part in the programme.

Read more: ACC to launch app for learner drivers

“This is a great example of ACC’s commitment to putting the customer at the heart of what they do,” Henare added.

The pilot will focus on motorcyclists who:

• hold a current motorcycle registration and full New Zealand class 6 licence for five years or more, and;
• complete two Ride Forever courses, either one Silver and one Gold or two Gold level courses.

The programme will run from July 01, 2019 to June 30, 2021. After the assessment period, ACC will determine if the programme will be offered on an ongoing basis.