Sunday’s VACC ‘SAFE ROUTES’ Scooter Rally saw more than 350 scooters take to the streets - including some from as far away as Ballarat and Bendigo – to press for better road infrastructure, better licensing laws, and new road-sharing initiatives.

Scooters of all shapes, sizes and age including Vespas, Lambrettas, Aprillias, Bolwells, Hondas, (and even an old German Goggo) packed the street along the front of Luna Park, before heading to Lygon Street.

The Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) Executive Director, David Purchase said he was very pleased by the scootering public’s response.

“This was the largest organised ride of scooters in Victoria to date. I’d like to thank all who turned out in force to send the message to the State Government that it is time scooter riders were ‘on the radar’,” he said.

“VACC calls on this Government, or the next, for a system of signed SAFE ROUTES through the city, as well as other road-sharing initiatives such as safety boxes at busy intersections and lane sharing along certain bicycle lane routes.”

“We are disappointed that the response from the State Government on ‘powered two wheeled transport’, as a part of Melbourne’s traffic solution, has been a well of silence.

Mr Purchase said the strong turn-out ensured there will be a similar event organised next year.

Following the ride, a scooter was presented to The Lighthouse Foundation to assist its work for disadvantaged young people.