Educating cyclists

I would like to react to the letters that have appeared recently in The Times about the use of bicycles in Maltese traffic.

I do not agree with Joe Borg (Bicycles - Hazardous And Frustrating, November 10) that the ADT shows "audacity" in trying to change how the Maltese commute. On the contrary I would say that more people should start taking up cycling as a means of transport. When I moved here from the Netherlands I was surprised to find that the Maltese do not use bicycles to reach their destination. The country's size is perfect for it.

I do not miss much of the Netherlands, however I miss my bicycle! I used to go to school, visit friends and the sports club by bicycle. This way I had daily exercise and fresh air in my face after a long day at school.

The problem in Malta for cyclists is the surrounding traffic. I understand there is frustration among motorists, but I dare say that this is a matter of mentality. There has to be a shift in the present attitude of the motorists that the roads are all theirs: cyclists are not a nuisance, but a part of traffic. Having said that, I also want to say that, if you want to be part of traffic as a cyclist, you have to stick to the rules and behave responsibly.

When more and more people want to use cycling as a means of transport, some education should come with this development. In the Netherlands, during the first years of primary school, our teachers would take us for a walk where they would explain the traffic regulations "in the field". Later on, a police officer would come to our school to explain the rules of the road for cyclists, since many children used to go to school by bike. After a few lessons, we had a small practical test on our knowledge of the traffic regulations and the police officer would check our bicycles to see if they were fit to use.

Chaos in traffic is not at all related to the number of bicycles in that traffic - in the Netherlands there are a lot of bicycles but the traffic is anything but chaotic. If we really want to make a change for the better (for our health and our environment!) the ADT, schools and police force should work together to achieve a change in mentality.