Petition to make cycling safer

David Mifsud

Aug 18th 2009, 18:01

I really cannot understand the apparent resentment some bloggers seem to have in respect of cyclists.
Of course there are people who make mistakes while they are cycling, but let's face it, who is the loser in such a situation ? the car driver? hardly!
The reversal of onus of proof ,in my view ,evens out the lack of balance there is on the roads when comparing a solid heavy fast moving mass like a car/ truck etc to the light weight of a cycling person.
Cyclists are more vulnerable so they must be afforded more attention/protection.
Cycling is a positive experience as an environment-friendly physical activity. The authorities are duty bound to encourage and nurture such activities.

Are people serious when they opine that the problem with cyclists' safety rests in the main with them (cyclists) rather than with vehicle drivers and the state of the roads? Is the anti-cycling sentiment a reflection of the attitude which dictates "The roads are ours and there is no place for you!Go away!" ? Perhaps it is not in the Maltese "culture" to cycle and we should stow away our bikes and resort to watching(and hearing:-)) fireworks while guzzling pastizzi !?

George Debono

Aug 18th 2009, 15:47

@JamesAquilina

Continued from below ...

RE "Cyclists also assume they can swerve towards the middle of the road to avoid an obstacle without even looking backwards, sometimes you can see up to 3 cyclists side by side chatting along, leaving limited space for vehicles to overtake.."

Aw come on !!!..............Yes this might happen on a quiet road. Now I see dozens of times a car stopping in the middle of a road to talk to somebody, or to unload or to wait for somebody to get on. The cars behind usually wait patiently…………..But,if a cyclists gets in a car’s way then put a cyclist - hell breaks out.

Please help us overcome this horrid prejudice. If bikes are taken seriously and feel respected then they will behave correctly.

G

George Debono

Aug 18th 2009, 15:44

@Duncan Barbaro Sant
@, cyclists do NOT observe or follow the same traffic rules, many cyclists do NOT stop at traffic lights

All this venom against cyclists is very disturbing. Especially after a cyclist was killed by a car.

Cyclists are rare creatures on our roads. When I am on an average, typical trip - on bike or in my car - I might see, maybe 3 – 5 other cyclists. I must confess that I have never seen one misbehaving.

Mr Barbaro-Sant talks as if our roads are infested with cylists all breaking every rule on the planet. Where does he live I wonder??? Does HE ride a bike?....It seems that everything to do with cycling is bad or dangerous, A cyclist can’t even sneeze on a bike because it is “dangerous.. .”

RE “the other day I came across a cyclist in full non reflective gear and no front or rear lighting at 2230hrs” yes OK, OK --- even then, he was not threatening anybody else. If a motorist had killed him it would have been quite clearly his own fault. And PLEASE,PLEASE remember the staring point for all this was the death of an experienced cyclist!!!

Continued

George Debono

Aug 18th 2009, 14:39

James Aquilina

@Some cyclists are careless and dangerous?

OK..........................BUT surely one can also say “Some motorcar (&bus & lorry) drivers are careless and dangerous”
The only difference is that a car in the hands of a dangerous driver is a lethal weapon - as we saw in the tragic accident on the Coast Road.
Please keep a sense of proportion.

@ AND cyclists must give right of way to faster traffic!!!!!
WHAT?? This is pure madness !
So if a cyclist enters a roundabout he must give right of way to a car which is going faster? This is typical of the attitude of car drivers who want the road all to themselves

.. such a driver would lose his license in 5 minutes in Denmark or Holland.

This attitude will hold up any progress

G

Mark Bonnici

Aug 18th 2009, 10:26

@J.Farrugia - It maybe true that some cyclists might not observe the highway code... But the main concern on this wild island is the hazardous driving and the Arrogance and Ignorance by the majority of motorists. As far as I know three weeks ago a cyclist was killed by a drunk, uninsured, speeding motorist. And I am sure there are hundreds more like this lawbreaker roaming around on our roads.

Any Yes, Cyclists, Runners and Pedestrians should get preferential treatment over cars etc.. Motorists should respect that the fact that these individuals are not hazardous as a motorized vehicle is.

You maybe you right, the current bike lanes should be scrapped but new ones should be designed as per EU standards!

James Aquilina

Aug 18th 2009, 10:03

Cyclists must also obliges to stay at the side of the road in a single file.

Some cyclists are careless and dangerous, it is sometimes impossable for a car or motorcycle to overtake a group of cyclists (esp on the coast road on sunday mornings) as they stay in a pack occupying the whole lane.

also, red lights, roundabout right of ways and a number of other road rules are totally ignored by a fair number of cyclists.

motorists cannot be held responsable for such action.

If cyclists want to use the roads, then so be it, BUT thay must be held legally responsable for the actions AND must give right of way to faster traffic!!!!!

J Farrugia

Aug 18th 2009, 09:32

Making all this mayhem for a cyclist is too much for me to stomach. First commandment: cyclist are no better than other drivers. Who is going to police the cyclists if ever this petition is accepted, which I hope will not be the case. Just hot air. Second we cannot give privileges to cyclists otherwise we have to privilege the road users and pedestrians as well, they all have rights and duties. Like the cyclists. Third - as regards these cycle lanes, they are of no use. Let's remove them once and for all they just show how many brainless road planners we have on our island.

J Farrugia

Aug 18th 2009, 09:28

To all - cyclist are just like motor car drivers. They have to abide by the rules of the Highway code and no preferential treatment is to be metted out to these cyclists. They are to cycle in single file if they dont wont to be hit. For car drivers they are a menace, for motorcycles they are a menace. Din il-manija ta' Dr Debono li jrid igieghel lil kulhadd isuq ir-rota taghti naqra fl-arroganza.

V Battistino

Aug 18th 2009, 08:40

Agreed on stricter measures, including barring of cyclists have headphones for whatever reason, mobile phone, music etc etc......riding in more than a single file at any time which goes anyway against the highway code, and physically prepared to take to the roads. Some people cycle to get fit and loose extra kgs...but they tend to get fatigued on the way and loose cautiosness and attention.....at the end of the day, cycling is beneficial and pleasent but let's not make it dangerous.......in our younger days, we used to play soccer in our streets like they still do in Brazil....but can we do it today......what is good in other countries is not necessarily possible in ours and vice versa....and providing a track is not the solution...most cyclists prefer the roads to make it less monotonous...let's not mistake the wood for the trees...everyone using the road has to be cautious !

M Lama

Aug 18th 2009, 08:01

The common generalization of cyclists breaking road rules is just that. Yes, some cyclists do run red lights etc, so does a percentage of motorcyclists, car drivers etc. To single out cyclists only is therefore wrong. Policing should enforce the laws for all road users equally.

@Chris Mifsud “roads which are supposed to be exclusively reserved for tax paying motor vehicle drivers”

Vehicle Registration goes into general revenue where the cyclist’s income tax and vehicle registration tax also goes, as most cyclists are also motorists. So they pay indirectly for roads just like you do. Please show where it says that roads are reserved for any particular user? Everyone owns roads equally as roads are part of the countries infrastructure.

@Paul Barrett The law only requires lights at night and there is no mention that a bell is required in the rules.

Ian Restall

Aug 17th 2009, 22:25

Well-done to the editor for probably deliberately choosing that photo! There is nothing right about that photo. By publishing that photo the editor has provoked various comments – some positive and some absurd. That’s what blogs are all about.
Drivers of motor vehicles please be careful when approaching a cyclist. And cyclist please be extra careful when riding your bikes.
However not all bicycle users are professional cyclists and bicycle users need their own set of rules.
Lets start off by - no mobile phones and no MP3s when riding your bike.
Feel free to add to the list.

George Debono

Aug 17th 2009, 19:32

@albert leone Ganado @I cannot see how motorists and cyclists can coexist safely on the same stretch of road. Maybe but they do in other sophisticated countries. @ The only solution would be to make a number of secondary roads open to cyclists only with no through traffic allowed and with with low speed limits not exceeding 30km/hr on such roads. Excellent suggestion. This sort of system does exist – the extreme form is the Home Zone System or ‘Wohnstrasse’ generally in residential area or places where people like to walk and in which quality of life takes precedence over traffic; pedestrians and cyclists get priority over motorists and children can play safely outside.. There are no pavements but trees, benches etc and the road is cobblestoned to prompt motorists to drive at a slow speed. Cars may only drive slowly - basically walking speed. g

albert leone ganado

Aug 17th 2009, 18:06

Given the nature of our roads in particular their narrowness,the poor state of maintenance of the sides of the road, and their lack of straightness as well as parking on both sides with the constant danger of doors opening into the cyclist's face I cannot see how motorists and cyclists can coexist safely on the same stretch of road. The only solution would be to make a number of secondary roads open to cyclists only with no through traffic allowed and with with low speed limits not exceeding 30km/hr on such roads. I am sure that with careful planning the ADT can create a network which links most of our towns and villages.

Denis Catania

Aug 17th 2009, 18:03

Nigel is right. Who the hell this guy on his cell phone think he is? He is definitely no Lance Armstrong.

George Debono

Aug 17th 2009, 17:53

Continues There is also an “evolutionary” question: Congestion has reached such severity in cities like London, Paris (and now Berlin) that people automatically turn to bike (or motorbikes) for commuting because they get there quicker. Malta is quickly reaching that point. So we’d better cater in advance for a healthy solution. G @Joseph Schembri @comment on the photo published here and tell us what (I) think. you have a point Joseph – If it was a mobile phone, that is. We cannot make asumptions... Maybe the guy will come forward with the true explanation. Having said that – I was once nearly hit by a huge lorry driven by a man who was using a mobile and didn’t stop at a red light on a pedestrian crossing. So at least he is less dangerous than a car and everybody does it when driving. He who throws the first stone……..?? G

George Debono

Aug 17th 2009, 17:31

@g. scerri @“Cyclists wobble as they ride” They don’t !! Even at my advanced age (73) I don’t wobble….. @"Traffic congestion is so extreme that we do not have the space to always give cyclists a wide berth". OK then we throw away the bicycle because of traffic congestion. No the opposite can be argued -----the more popular the bike becomes the less congestion and pollution there will be. Example: I use my bike for any errand within reasonable cycling distance (if it’s not raining & if I don’t have a passenger or large load &c). I generally get there faster then by car (esp if you take time needed to find a parking time into consideration!) so the bike pays in more way than one. Most commuting journeys are short and easily done on a bike so if everybody did what I did there would be fewer cars & less congestion…..& less pollution, and less obesity and so on. Also there is the “multiplier effect” the more bikes on the road … the more people take to cycling. Not only that………motorists also become more careful and, paradoxically, cycling becomes safer. Continues.............

G.Zammit

Aug 17th 2009, 17:18

I've lately witnessed, on two seperate occasions, proffesional cyclist cycling their guts out behind a bus and the other behind a truck carrying quarry stones in Triq Tal- Barrani. They were barely a metre away from behind the heavy vehicles. I know their intention is to use the vehicles as to avoid the air resistance, but what if the vehicles came to a sudden halt?

George Debono

Aug 17th 2009, 17:12

@John Falzon-Re”””driver will be held responsible unless he or she can prove otherwise””” I admit you have a point – but it is so in countries like Denmark where cyclists are given almost absolute protection so that motorists drive in constant fear of hitting a cyclist. It is just that cyclists are so vulnerable that the law is completely on their side. The cyclists also tend to overdo it too! But this certainly makes people drive carefully. People in such countries accept this as most of themselves (and their kids!) ride a bike too! It sure keeps the accident rate down. @ Claire Galea @"One must also bear in mind however, that contributory negligence may also mean cycling at night or during the very early hours of the morning when visibilty is poor and lighting inadequate". Absolutely no – this is the frequently used device of passing the responsibility and the blame on to the cyclist (“he shouldn’t have been there”) . If road conditions are not good for whatever reason (fog, ice, darkness etc) then it is the driver’s responsibility to drive accordingly. Virtually the only place where cycling is forbidden are motorways. G G

Joseph Schembri

Aug 17th 2009, 17:11

I know Dr. George Debono as a good scientist and reasonable man apart from a keen cyclist. I urge him to comment on the photo published here and tell us what he thinks.

Nigel Lawrence

Aug 17th 2009, 16:38

@Paul Barrett

Couldn't agree more. Many will ignore RED traffic lights (as if it does not concern THEM). Riding on the wrong side of the road and ingnring "No entry" signs is commonplace.

By the way, I copied the attached photo into a picture editor, enlarged and enhanced the lead cyclist. The idiot IS reading a mobile phone. A perfect specimen of road safety.

Anthony Roberts

Aug 17th 2009, 16:27

Who takes responsibility for the youngsters who ride their bicycles against the traffic in one way streets?

fabian muliet

Aug 17th 2009, 15:59

Does this include cyclists cycling 3 or 4 abreast on the coast road? While i agree that some motorists are plain danger on the roads, i also think that some cyclists think they own the road! I also think that the pavements are to wide and could have been used to accomodate cyclists. But remember that in our country if your the sports you practice happens to involve wheels, everything done for us by the sports ministry is an after thought....

Claiure Galea

Aug 17th 2009, 15:52

Contributory Negligence is a section of Insurance law which dilutes the responsability of the offendor when the victim was negligent enough to cause the accident.

The authorities should make an emphasis on cycle lanes. It is very irresponsable of ADT that on major arteries, even thouse that are being constructed today, no provision is being made for cycle lanes. Vehicles driving within cycle lanes should also be heavily penalized ande cycling encouraged as a viable travel alternative. One must also bear in mind however, that contributory negligence may also mean cycling at night or during the very early hours of the morning when visibilty is poor and lighting inadequate.

edward bartolo

Aug 17th 2009, 15:47

Excuse me for playing the part of the Devil's Advocate:

What about keeping a record of the IP of each signer? What proof are you going to provide that the signatures are not a fraud? Furthermore, why is the webpage not encrypted (https:)?

Gordon Camenzuli

Aug 17th 2009, 15:05

@ Charles Caruana

A cyclist does not inadvertantly swerve onto a bus. It's rather over speading of cars and buses that leads to accidents.

You must know that a good high-calibre cyclist like the ones in this photo can ride a bike without holding onto the handle bars better than the average driver, driving a car.

Joseph Schembri

Aug 17th 2009, 15:02

This photo is great as it shows typical carelessness shown by cyclists who instead of cycling in single file do so two or three abreast creating danger for themselves and others.

As a boy and a keen cyclist I remember reading my cyclist's manual and it was always emphasised that cyclists should not take up the whole road but should cycle in single file on one side of the road and not in the middle as the persons in the picture seem to be doing.

Mark Bartolo

Aug 17th 2009, 12:23

Cyclists would do well to have a look at what their responsibilities are. The Highway Code has a section specifically for cyclists at:

http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/archive/HighwaycodeEng/part3E.asp

This clearly states, amongst other things, that cyclists must always:
- ride in single file on narrow or busy roads
- keep both hands on the handlebars except when signalling or changing gear

Lennard Kelder

Aug 17th 2009, 12:18

Pity that the petition can only be signed by Maltese residents because I would have liked to sign. During various visits to Malta I chose to bike around the island but I feel it is like suicide. Taking a simple roundabout is a huge risk, it seems that Maltese in traffic are absolutely not prepared on how to react when approaching a cyclist. On the other hand I have the impression that there are more and more cyclists, both locals and tourists. This petition makes sense, let alone the publicity you get around it. Well done, now I hope it helps.

R Scicluna

Aug 17th 2009, 11:44

Shouldn't cyclists ride in a single file?

Paul Barrett

Aug 17th 2009, 11:40

The picture with this article sums up a number of points.
Texting for one. Riding Two or Three abreast for another. I can't see clearly enough but it looks like none of the bikes have lights or indeed a bell.

Observing cyclists around the Island, few seem to keep to the side of the road and even fewer use any form of indication when turning, slowing down or even bother to look at what is happening behind them before changing direction.

Before petitioning for tighter rules for motorised vehicles, perhaps they should concentrate on bringing their super duper race track bikes up to road standard and go back to basics and learn how to ride a bike on the road properly.

Chris Mifsud

Aug 17th 2009, 11:36

To make cycling safer they should first start learing to cycle safely themselves .

For a start , there are certain roads where it is simply not safe to cycle .

And if they want to impose rules and regulations and the sort , I believe that there should be some form of road tax for bycycles too as they are using roads which are supposed to be exclusively reserved for tax paying motor vehicle drivers .

There have been so many times where i have witnessed cyclists riding ther bicycles unsafely and always thought to myself how unfair it is that if I had to hit somebody because of his own recklesness , i would still be the one to blame and the cyclist would be the one everyone would feel sorry for .

Malta is small and unfortunatly cyclists cannot expect that all the main roads in Malta are going to accomodate a safe bicycle lane . Not even all major european cities are equipped with decent lanes .

Lets be honest , the bicycle lane from St Andrews/Madliena leading to Bahar Ic Caq is a joke and is very dangerous to cyclists .

Kevin Farrugia

Aug 17th 2009, 10:56

I am number 200 arlready! Come on cyclists and Net bloggers it only take a couple of seconds.

g. scerri

Aug 17th 2009, 10:54

Because a cyclist is obviously very vulnerable, I generally drive past very slowly when I meet them on the roads. But on the other hand, one must not forget that most cyclists wobble as they ride, and this can easily give rise to accidents. How on earth is one to prove that the cyclist wobbled and hit you or vice-versa. Traffic congestion is so extreme that we do not have the space to always give cyclists a wide berth. One more thing. Cyclists, like motorists, tend to use their bikes to weave through stationary or slow moving traffic. And they don't always respect the rules of the road when doing that either. So you don't always see them coming. Putting the onus of proof on the motorist is not the answer.

G.Zammit

Aug 17th 2009, 10:51

Is it illegal to use the mobile phone while cycling in the middle of a traffic busy road??

John Falzon

Aug 17th 2009, 10:44

The intention is good.

However in my opinion, an open and objective mind needs to be kept from the beginning and as such this does not fit in with the premise being put forward in the petition that the driver will be held responsible unless he or she can prove otherwise !

Indeed, if one really thinks about it, even on the basis of simple logic, any attempt to make "motorists legally responsible for collisions with cyclists unless it could be proven that the cyclist deliberately caused the crash" could only lead to more drivers opting to "run" after a "hit". Which is not where the petitioners want to gowith this, surely ?

Charles Caruana

Aug 17th 2009, 10:35

An inappropriate picture to a newsitem for making cycling safer.

Is the lead cyclist texting whilst cycling or what?

...............An then the cyclist inadvertantly swerves onto the bus and it's the bus drivers fault.

Franco Farrugia

Aug 17th 2009, 10:20

'Particular emphasis is being placed on buses, heavy goods vehicles and taxis, which Dr Debono and Mr Cassar said pose a significant threat to cyclists' safety on main roads.' Well, said vehicles pose a risk even to smaller vehicles, let alone those on bicycles, since cyclists do not have any means of personal protection as drivers otherwise would have inside vehicles.