Thousands of motorcyclists gathered outside Victoria’s Parliament House on Sunday, calling on the state government to improve road safety and address worsening road conditions, particularly the growing number of potholes across the state.
The demonstration, known as the “Broken Roads Rally,” attracted more than 3,000 participants, with riders arriving on motorcycles from across Victoria to voice concerns about deteriorating road infrastructure. The rally began at 11:00am and featured a combination of speeches, protests, and the roar of motorbike engines as attendees called for action.
Chants of “fix the roads” echoed through the crowd as participants highlighted what they described as increasing safety risks posed by potholes and poor road maintenance.
The event was organised by Michael White and Paul Povh, hosts of a popular motorcycling YouTube channel. Addressing the crowd, White said the rally was focused on road safety rather than political affiliation.
“We’re not here because we’re bloody happy,” he told attendees.
“We’re not here because we care about Labor, Liberal, Greens, One Nation, anyone.”
The protest comes after recent heavy rainfall across parts of Victoria contributed to the emergence of new potholes and further damage to sections of the state’s road network.
Road maintenance has become a major political issue ahead of Victoria’s upcoming state election in November. Concerns have intensified following a report from the Victorian Auditor-General’s Office (VAGO), which found that the proportion of state-managed roads classified as being in poor or very poor condition increased from 39 per cent to 48 per cent between 2021 and 2024.
The issue has drawn attention from both major political parties. Opposition Leader Jess Wilson attended the rally in support of the protesters, while Premier Ben Carroll reportedly met with the organisers a day earlier to discuss their concerns.
In response to growing criticism, the Victorian government has pledged significant investment in road maintenance. Labor has promised $1 billion for road repair projects and announced an additional $352 million this year specifically aimed at pothole repairs and maintenance works.
The Coalition has meanwhile committed $5 billion over four years to improve roads across the state if elected.
Motorcyclists at the rally argued that potholes pose a particularly serious hazard for riders, who are more vulnerable to accidents caused by damaged road surfaces than motorists in larger vehicles.
Participants said they hoped the strong turnout would encourage policymakers to prioritise road repairs and long-term maintenance programs to improve safety for all road users.
With road conditions now emerging as a key election issue, infrastructure spending and transport safety are expected to remain prominent topics in the lead-up to Victorians going to the polls.
+ There are no comments
Add yours