Motorcyclist killed in pothole crash identified amid calls for urgent road repairs in Victoria

The devastated family of a motorcyclist who died after riding into a pothole on a Victorian highway has blamed the state government for his death.

Peter Mason, also known as Tiki, hit the pothole and lost control of his motorcycle while riding on the Western Hwy near Trawalla Rd at Trawalla, in Victoria’s central west, about 12.50pm on Sunday.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Motorcyclist killed by pothole on Western Highway

The 71-year-old died at the scene. 

7NEWS understands Mason’s family is due to arrive in Melbourne from New Zealand on Monday as they come to terms with his death.

Tributes have flooded social media for Mason, who was president of the Eureka Social Riders.

“It is with heavy hearts and complete shock that we share the tragic passing of our mate Tiki following a motorcycle accident over the weekend,” the Mutiny Mob Social Club wrote.

“Only days ago, we were sharing a great weekend, plenty of laughs and good times together. Now we are struggling to comprehend that he is gone.

“On behalf of every member of the Mutiny Mob Social Club, we extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Tiki’s family, loved ones, friends and everyone at the Eureka Club.”

Melbourne-based motorcycle content creators That Harley Couple said they were “gutted to hear of the loss of Tiki”.

“We interviewed him this year at the Redback Rally and although only a short conversation he left a lasting impression,” they said.

“That impression was one of a true gentleman who cared deeply about those around him. 

“He will no doubt be missed by many.  

“Condolences to his family, friends and brothers and sisters in the club and greater biker community.”

Death sparks anger over condition of roads

Mason’s death has also sparked anger over the condition of Victoria’s roads, with social media users describing the crash as avoidable.

It comes just days after the Victorian Auditor-General found half of the state’s road network was in poor condition, as a backlog of potholes waiting to be repaired continues to grow.

Examining more than 23,000km of roads, it characterised their overall condition as “deteriorating”.

The Victorian Motorcycle Council has been raising concerns for more than a decade.

Chair of the advocacy group Rob Salvatore said potholes, questionable repairs and substandard surfaces had made riding less safe and enjoyable.

“It’s a genuinely tragic incident,” Salvatore said of Sunday’s incident.

“Safer motorcycling relies on the condition of the roads, and poor conditions can impact the safety of the rider in very detrimental ways.”

The conditions meant riders have been forced to adjust their routines, with some older people refusing to ride at night, Salvatore said.

He said the state government appeared to be taking the issue seriously, but said Sunday’s fatality should spur real change.

“Something good should come out of something so tragic,” he said.

The state Labor government and Coalition have offered duelling commitments to deliver road repairs in the lead-up to the November state election.

Labor’s vision includes an additional $300 million to fix 500,000 potholes by the end of January, aided by delayed infrastructure spending and the work of prisoners.

Premier Ben Carroll, who was heckled about potholes at an unrelated press conference on Friday, said the “buck does stop with us”.

“I know road conditions aren’t good enough,” he said in a statement, citing his government’s pothole repair targets and plans to bring road maintenance back in house.

Carroll described Sunday’s crash as a “tragic loss of life”, adding his thoughts were with the rider’s loved ones.

The state Liberal-National coalition meanwhile has pledged $5 billion over four years to plug one million potholes.

Victorian Nationals leader Danny O’Brien said Sunday’s “tragedy” highlighted the need for immediate action to avoid further deaths.

“It should never have come to this,” he said.

- With AAP