Road cyclists say dramatic increases in traffic management costs could see Western Australia lose some of its premier race events.
This year, changes were made to raise the minimum pay for traffic management work on state roads to address significant underpayment issues within the industry.
An unintended consequence of this change is that events like the Tour of Margaret River may not have a future, according to organisers.
Traffic management controllers are necessary for the safety of both cyclists and drivers on shared roads during events. (ABC South West: Andrew Williams)
The sport's largest event in WA, the tour draws hundreds of competitors from across the country to the South West every year and is highly regarded in cycling circles.
Last weekend saw the event's 17th edition with more than 700 riders competing over three days and across 200 kilometres.
Race organiser Brendon Morrison said he was unsure if the event would be viable next year due to the increase in costs.
Brendon Morrison says all road events in WA are under pressure financially. (ABC South West: Andrew Williams)
He said the price of the event's traffic management had increased by 300 per cent in the past year.
In part, this is because the event is held over a weekend so penalty rates are added on top.
"We are paying traffic controllers more per hour than we are paying paramedics and doctors," Mr Morrison said.
Event 'great for tourism'
Avid road cyclist Allan Bowes said he would be devastated if the Tour of Margaret River ended.
Allan Bowes travelled from Perth to compete in his eighth Tour of Margaret River. (ABC South West: Andrew Williams)
"I'm very concerned because there is a risk this event won't go ahead again, because the costs have gone up so much for traffic management that its not viable to keep it going," he said.
"They have the choice of doubling the entry fees or cancelling it. It brings in people from overseas and over east. Its great for tourism and promoting healthy living.
"I really think to see an event like this go would be a tragedy."
Almost 120 teams competed in this year's Tour of Margaret River. (ABC South West: Andrew Williams)
A spokesperson for the Tourism and Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the government recognises the important value that regional events like the Tour of Margaret River bring to the state.
"That's why we invest significantly in the Regional Events Scheme, which supports smaller and developing regional events," the spokesperson said.
"For 2025-26, $1 million in funding is available to those event holders, which is designed to support them with costs they incur to put on the event, like traffic management."
Perth event also struggling
Midland Cycle Club president Richard McGillivray said the recent cost increases were not just impacting regional road cycling events.
He said the traffic management cost for this year's Midland Trader 100 event was $10,000, four times as much as it was just three years ago.
"We'll have to assess whether it's viable for us to run the event next year," Mr McGillivray said.
Mr McGillivray said in the past, clubs could use volunteers which kept costs down, but new regulations and training standards had been introduced in the last decade.
"It's already an expensive sport because of the cost of the equipment we use. It just becomes cost, on cost, on cost," he said.
He was concerned the next generation of cyclists would suffer if road cycling events like the Midland Traders 100 and Tour of Margaret River disappeared.
Perth's own Jai Hindleywon started his cycling journey with the Midland Cycle Club, going on to win stage 5 of the 2023 Tour de France. (Getty Images: David Ramos)
"We've had Jai Hindley win the Giro Di Italia, and a stage in the Tour de France. He grew up racing for Midland Cycle Club on suburban streets," Mr McGillivray said.
"I think we will struggle to produce that next generation of cyclists with them being unable to attend quality races."