If you've been out and about lately, you have noticed that roads and bike paths are looking a little worse for wear.

Potholes, cracks, overgrown verges, and debris have been popping up everywhere, and it's not just a minor inconvenience.

For many Australians, especially those who rely on cycling for transport, these deteriorating conditions are becoming a real safety hazard.

According to new data, complaints about the state of Aussie roads and bike paths have tripled in the past three years.

The surge in reports has also become a reflection of the growing number of Aussies using bicycles for transport.

Since 2020, cycling has boomed, and over five million Australians now ride a bike weekly.

The rise of e-bikes also made cycling more accessible, but it also highlighted how much Australia's roads have been struggling to keep up.

Road cracks are one of the many cyclists' concerns. Image Credit: Pexels/Brett Sayles

Danny Gorog, the CEO of the council reporting app Snap Send Solve, shared that the increase in complaints was a clear sign that roads and bike paths have been deteriorating.

In 2023, there were 5,235 reports of issues on bike paths, from crumbling tarmac and regular debris to overgrown nature strips.

Last year, more than 3,000 reports were already logged in the first five months.

'We need to evolve and react to managing our assets and infrastructure more appropriately,' Mr Gorog emphasised.

'People want better, more consistent infrastructure, and where they're not seeing it, they are reporting it.'

There are a few reasons why Aussie roads and bike paths are in such a state.

For one, much of Australia's roads are ageing, and maintenance cycles have not kept up with the wear and tear.

Extreme weather events, increased traffic, and budget constraints at all levels of government have also been massive factors in the roads' conditions.

Peter McLean, the CEO of Bicycle NSW, stated that it's time for the government to step up.

'People want better, more consistent infrastructure, and where they're not seeing it, they are reporting it,' McLean stated.

Poorly maintained roads and bike paths could be dangerous, not just for cyclists.

Cracks, potholes, and debris could cause serious accidents, especially for seniors, who may be more vulnerable to falls and injuries.

Despite making up a small percentage of road users, cyclists are involved in a disproportionate number of crashes.

Cyclist deaths have increased from 34 in 2023 to 38 in 2024, an 11.8 per cent jump.

Most of these incidents involved motor vehicles, highlighting the need for better awareness and education for all road users.

Earlier this year, a near-miss in Melbourne's Brunswick suburb made headlines when a driver failed to see a cyclist despite having flashing lights on his bike.

Cyclist Rory Meister called the incident 'absurd' and said that such close calls have become a common occurrence among bikers.

So, what can be done to make roads safer for everyone?

Experts say that it's a combination of better infrastructure, smarter investment, and ongoing upgrades.

McLean believed that education should start early when people first get their licenses.

'There's lots of great drivers out there, and we just need to equalise everyone on the road,' McLean stated.

Key Takeaways

• Reports of deteriorating roads and bike paths across Australia have tripled in the past three years, raising increased safety concerns.
• Over five million Australians are now riding a bike weekly, leading to more complaints about poor cycling infrastructure.
• Experts warned that worsening road and path conditions, along with inadequate maintenance, pose a growing risk to cyclists and could undermine broader mobility goals.
• Cycling groups and advocates urged the government to prioritise better infrastructure and highlight the need for improved driver awareness and education to enhance road safety.

Have you noticed your local roads getting worse as time goes by? What changes would you like to see to make Aussie streets safer for everyone, especially seniors? Share your stories and suggestions in the comments below.

 

[Geta]

More cars on the roads means more money. At least the repairs should last more than a few weeks. Most of them need to be repaired again and again as the materials used and the work quality are not adequate. Money down the drain.

 

[GrannyJA!]

Just ask anyone living in the Shoalhaven about the roads. You will certainly 'get an ear-full'!

 

[GrannyJA!]

More cars on the roads means more money. At least the repairs should last more than a few weeks. Most of them need to be repaired again and again as the materials used and the work quality are not adequate. Money down the drain.

Quite literally in some cases.

 

[Benny's Light]

Some of the roads are in such a state of repair. Not only do cyclists have to be careful but all road users. Many cars are swerving around the potholes to avoid them forgetting there are other cars coming in the other direction. Accidents waiting to happen! I have gone through three new tyres in a few weeks due to the huge pot holes. I am starting to avoid certain roads where I live.

 

[Catherines]

Have a look at Brisbane’s suburban roads. Holes everywhere and dips in the structure that you can hit at normal speed. Goodness knows how much damage those are doing to a car’s suspension etc.

I’ve complained more than once. At the first call I was given a reference number, three more calls and months later a decent patchwork job was done (no further damage YET). I enquired about the other complaint & was told some sections were responsibility of the Transport & Main Roads (TMR) department because they were on a ‘main road or leading onto a freeway/highway’ and not a suburban road. However, even the suburban section has not been done. That complaint was made over 4 years ago! Talk about ‘buck passing’!

 

[Veggiepatch]

Just ask anyone living in the Shoalhaven about the roads. You will certainly 'get an ear-full'!

A mate of mine was a road maintenance engineer with the Shoalhaven City Council in the 1990s. He said that the quality and construction methods did not meet the minimum standards set out by Ausroads.

No wonder that Greenwell Point, Culburra and Terera Roads crumble in less than six months of being completely relaid,

 

[gentlejack]

Ggovernments can't maintain free accommodation, travel, meals, fones etc etc for themselves and then afford to maintain roads/streets. So we must soldier on and watch taxes get wasted.

 

[HelenB55]

Federal Government, State Governments, Councils & Main Roads Department are not putting the money back into the upgrade of road repairs.

Everyone is complaining about the Bruce Highway yet nothing has been done.

They complain that there are more cars & trucks using the roads….which means more money spent on fuel…. so doesn’t that mean more tax which is supposed to go to the upkeep of roads?

NO-ONE IS ALLOWING MONEY FOR ROAD REPAIRS. They are all too busy working out how they can tort the system more. Spending money on trivial things which are not necessary.

 

[cblayney]

I think it is a combination of:-
More cars than planned
A lot of rain
Lack of maintenance..... man power, cost, to much etc
When maintenance is done it is done quickly but not well..... can't close roads to do it properly.

Might be better and quicker if it was contracted out to private people

 

[NoNoNoNoNoNo]

you think road and bike paths are bad, try footpaths

 

[bluetang]

China has developed a plastic road base. Recycle plastic. No pot holes no cracking. Trust the Chinese for innovation.

 

[Catherines]

China has developed a plastic road base. Recycle plastic. No pot holes no cracking. Trust the Chinese for innovation.

I don’t doubt your comments but I have not seen or read anything on this innovation by the Chinese. If it’s possible then it’s time we looked into doing this here. But like a number of Asian countries, China included, the bulk of transport is by bicycle, and by cart carrying some goods, so damage will be minimal compared to countries like Australia where the bulk of transport is by car, and by truck for transport of bulk goods.

 

[Towing]

Now maybe the public will realize why cyclists don't ride too close to the gutters. If your tyre catches on a groove etc at the wrong angle you can be tipped off or bike veer one way.
In Adelaide they are trialling a new type of road surface hoping it will reduce the risk of accidents. The surface isn't quite as smooth but it also isn't corrugated.
In an Adelaide western suburb there was a huge pothole - it had a small rock base - and you could see some rocks. Apparently the road was due for an overspray of bitumen. The spray went down into the hole which was still there years later. I don't know if it is still there as I moved out of the area. Some motorists used to delight in driving through it, splashing pedestrians and cyclists not just other vehicles

 

[natalielocket]

Have a look at Brisbane’s suburban roads. Holes everywhere and dips in the structure that you can hit at normal speed. Goodness knows how much damage those are doing to a car’s suspension etc.

I’ve complained more than once. At the first call I was given a reference number, three more calls and months later a decent patchwork job was done (no further damage YET). I enquired about the other complaint & was told some sections were responsibility of the Transport & Main Roads (TMR) department because they were on a ‘main road or leading onto a freeway/highway’ and not a suburban road. However, even the suburban section has not been done. That complaint was made over 4 years ago! Talk about ‘buck passing’!

Try the Bruce Highway, after one leaves the Gympie bypass.
Absolute disgrace, and yes one is always trying to swerve around potholes, and some are so big, if one hit them, major damage. And considering the amount of Vans and Motor Homes on the road, it makes for a major problem. Obviously, no politition, drives along the Bruce.

 

[Leenie]

We must be lucky, our street was redone 43 yrs ago and still going strong , and have a metal fabrication business 5 doors down with heavy trucks ,coming and going plus ones going past to our butchers . butchers. I guess that it was done correctly with quality materials. Other streets that have been done since are constantly going in potholes.our Council often uses contractors, but are now changing that use.

 

[7777]

When are road repair workers going to stop repairing pot holes when it is raining. Apparentl, if rain seeps into the repair of the pot hole, the pot hole will not seal properly, causing on going pot hole issues. This is something that I learnt from another dear and kind Seniors Discount Member, who shared this information with me. This is knowledge about the effects of rain on pot hole repairs, should have been taught to every road repair worker, in their training for road repairs.
Cracks and pot holes on roads, are very dangerous, especially for motor bike riders and bike riders during the day and more so during the night. The Minister who is in-charge of road safety, should sit in his car and drive all day, every day and record areas of cracks and pot holes on streets and roads. And why do I say the Minister, because no one else below his position, is doing their job properly or checking roads and streets for dangerous cracks and pot holes. Its only when a report by the public is made that someone might do some repairs, and then take forever to repair it.
Clearly the department that trains the road repair workers, is doing a low class job because the workers don't know how to do their work efficiently and second, they are draging the time to do the repairs for rediculously longer times than is necessary, which causes traffic congestion and big time frustration for drivers.

 

[7777]

More cars on the roads means moayre money. At least the repairs should last more than a few weeks. Most of them need to be repaired again and again as the materials used and the work quality are not adequate. Money down the drain.

Dear member Geta, i agree with you totally. Is it not strange how all the roads in Canberra are so perfect without any cracks or pot holes. That means it is possible to repair the roads the correct way. I believe that supervises and site managers are deliberately instructing their road repair worker to do the repairs the wrong way. That way the supervisors and managers can keep coming back with their workers and reap the profits of another easy contract. Good Karma to you always, God bless,

 

[Hieme]

We pay massive amounts in Council Rates, wage and fuel taxes. The only question is, where is it going if not into existing infrastructure. Oh, let's bring in another million people, give them a full benefit and make some new free housing estates for them so we can say we are creating housing!!! But nothing is done to maintain existing infrastructure or assist the existing AUSTRALIAN homeless. Thank you Mr Albonese. You are supposed to be representing AUSTRALIA and supporting the AUSTRALIAN people. I'm not sure Australia is actually a word anymore.

 

[7777]

Have a look at Brisbane’s suburban roads. Holes everywhere and dips in the structure that you can hit at normal speed. Goodness knows how much damage those are doing to a car’s suspension etc.

I’ve complained more than once. At the first call I was given a reference number, three more calls and months later a decent patchwork job was done (no further damage YET). I enquired about the other complaint & was told some sections were responsibility of the Transport & Main Roads (TMR) department because they were on a ‘main road or leading onto a freeway/highway’ and not a suburban road. However, even the suburban section has not been done. That complaint was made over 4 years ago! Talk about ‘buck passing’!

Dear member Catherine's, this complaint should to be emailed to our Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. He can then investigate his Minister for Road, Traffic and Transport to ask why our roads are in constant need for repair and why does it take forever to repair them. Good Karma to you always, God bless,