Thousands of motorcyclists gathered at the steps of Victoria’s state parliament on Sunday to protest against what they describe as a worsening pothole problem across the state’s roads. The rally, held just before 11 a.m. on Spring Street in Melbourne, drew riders from across Victoria, who expressed frustration and concern over road conditions they say are endangering their safety.

The protest was organized in response to recent fatalities linked to the poor state of road repairs. Among the incidents highlighted was the death of 71-year-old Peter “Tiki” Mason, who died three weeks earlier after hitting a pothole on the Western Freeway near Trawalla. The organizers, including Michael White and Paul Pohv, spoke to the crowd about the ongoing dangers posed by neglected road maintenance, with slogans such as “we’re sick of burying our mates” underscoring their grief and demand for urgent action.

Many participants emphasized the risks that deteriorating infrastructure poses specifically to motorcyclists, who are more vulnerable to road hazards than drivers of other vehicles. The demonstrators called on the state government to improve the quality and frequency of road repairs to prevent further accidents and fatalities.

State officials have acknowledged the concerns raised by the motorcycling community, noting that road maintenance is a priority but must be balanced against budgeting and logistical challenges. Some authorities have indicated that funding constraints and the extensive size of Victoria’s road network contribute to the slow pace of repairs.

While the protesters focused on the safety implications of potholes, some experts have pointed to broader infrastructure and funding challenges as underlying factors. The government has committed to reviewing road maintenance programs, but has yet to outline specific plans addressing the motorcycling community’s demands.

The rally marked one of the largest public expressions of frustration from motorcyclists in recent years, reflecting growing unease about road safety conditions. Organizers have hinted at further actions if their concerns are not met with concrete government responses.