UPDATE 2.30pm: Danielle Allport says a rally at Parliament House early this afternoon to protest against the use of wire rope safety barriers in Victoria went well.
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While Mrs Allport hoped the message had got through to politicians, she said there was more work to do and she would not stop.
“I think it’s going to take a lot more to get our message across, but it’s a start,” she said.
Many motorcyclists hold concerns about wire rope safety barriers, saying they present a serious and deadly threat.
Information provided by the Transport Accident Commission says cushioning and other devices to protect motorcyclists are used where new barriers are installed in high motorcycle risk areas.
The TAC also says research is under way to find alternatives or ways to shield posts without compromising the barriers’ benefits.
EARLIER: A group of local motorcyclists are riding to Melbourne on Tuesday morning to rally against the use of wire rope safety barriers in Victoria, in what is a deeply personal protest for some.
Among them are Danielle Allport, the daughter of Phil ‘Whitey’ White, who died after colliding with a kangaroo and then hitting the wire rope safety barrier last year on the Calder Highway.
Read more: Wire rope barriers protest planned
Mr White’s friends and fellow members of the God’s Squad Motorcycle Club’s central Victoria chapter have also set out to join the Bad Roads Protest Rally, where they will join with other riders from across the state on the steps of Parliament House at 12.30pm.
There will be speeches and a minute’s silence for those who have died.
Mrs Allport believes the barriers contributed to her father’s death.
“I lost my dad to the barriers on the Calder Freeway, so for me it was about making everyone aware of the dangers, the risks,” she said of the rally.
“Basically, trying to stop anyone else going through what went through.”
With Parliament sitting on Tuesday, Mrs Allport hopes politicians will hear the riders’ message.
Related: Barriers ‘unsafe for riders’
Mr White was a “dear, dear friend” of God’s Squad member Bernie Binns, who also joined the rally.
“We want a proper response from the state government as to why so much money has been spent without proper research into the effects on vulnerable road users, such as motorcyclists,” Mr Binns said.
The God’s Squad chapter president, Nathan Warrick, said motorcyclists were often an afterthought when it came to the roads.
But earlier this year, Roads Minister Luke Donnellan dismissed claims the barriers posed a threat.
“There is no evidence in the world which indicates these barriers do anything but save lives, full stop,” Mr Donnellan said.
However, as a rider, Mr Binns said he found the barriers “quite terrifying”.
“They’re so close to the roadside and cause such catastrophic damage to a human body when you collide with them,” he said.
He said he was even more vigilant in assessing potential dangers on stretches of road with the barriers.
“It’s changed the way I ride, and I don’t enjoy riding as much as I used to because of them,” Mr Binns said.
“If something goes wrong, there’s nowhere to go,” Mr Warrick added.
VicRoads and Roads Minister Luke Donnellan have been contacted for comment.
Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
