George G. Debono, Sliema
Urgently needed traffic discipline! (3)
The unkind title of Frans Said's letter, Intolerance From Those 'Saints' On Two Wheels (September 11), is insensitive and misplaced. The starting point of this debate was the death of an exemplary cyclist on the road while practising for a charity run. In the wake of this horrific motor accident, anti-cyclist name-calling or arguments sound hollow.
If Mr Said's letter is to be taken seriously, then it has to be assumed that Malta is infested with cyclists, all behaving badly. But how can this be? Cyclists are as rare as hens' teeth on our roads precisely because venturing out on a bicycle in Malta is so dangerous. Maybe Mr Said can inform readers where these swarms of law-breaking cyclists are to be seen?
Cyclists never asked to be "exempt from any control" when on the road; it is taken for granted that they are subject to traffic regulations; neither do cyclists "demand priority for use of the road"; they only wish to be respected as lawful users of the road. Cyclists expect priority only in those situations where they have lawful priority according to traffic rules. For instance, right of way of cyclists is often disregarded or ignored by motorists at roundabouts. Cyclists do signal their intentions but these are disregarded by motorists. Typically, turning right is a dangerous manoeuvre for cyclists because right-turn hand signals are usually ignored by passing motorists who do not slow down to let the cyclist move over to make the turn.
It is reasonable to say that "all road users should show restraint". That is fine but this applies equally to motor vehicles and, especially, to alcohol and inappropriate speed. Cycle training is a good idea. It would be for the good of all if, for instance, youngsters underwent cycling tests and examinations on road use and traffic signs, possibly at schools. However, it would be futile to train young aspiring cyclists if the behaviour of motorists, many of whom behave aggressively towards cyclists, remains as it is. It is sad that the possibility of children cycling to school, a normal activity in so many other civilised countries, is so utterly and totally out of the question in Malta because our roads are so dangerous.
Why should cyclists pay for use of the road? Bicycles do not pollute. Every bicycle on the street means one car less on the road; so bicycle use actually decreases pollution. A bicycle only occupies a fraction of the space of a car, whether on the road or parked. Bicycles do not need wide asphalted roads as cars do; a narrow path would suffice. So why should cyclists shoulder the expense of wide roads built specifically for cars?
People have cycled on roads for over a century without carrying identification or insurance. This has not caused problems. If it had, then this practice would have come automatically into use.
Nevertheless, a system whereby cyclists carry an obligatory inexpensive insurance would probably be acceptable to cyclists.
Such a system is in use in Switzerland - but not in other cycle-friendly countries.
All cyclists want is for Malta to become bicycle-friendly. If, in other countries, it is possible for motorists to be courteous and careful toward cyclists and respect them as fellow road users, then this should be possible in Malta too. All that is needed is a change of mentality.
In conclusion, it is difficult to comprehend how Mr Said can make sweeping disagreeable generalisations about cyclist behaviour when there is barely a cyclist to be seen on our roads. To this one can only add what was previously said, namely, that car users have two problems with accepting bicycles on the road. Firstly, they want the road entirely to themselves and, secondly, they are against taking on the extra responsibility of driving more carefully in the presence of cyclists.
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George Debono
Sep 18th 2009, 17:14
Continues-- @”...........exaggerating………if……….use a bicycle….20% of your outside needs” . No I do not exaggerate at all. It is nearer 90%. I use bike as if it was my car. & feel better for it. I dread having to use my car because of all the hassle of parking. Biking is almost invariably quicker (literally door to door) because no time is lost parking. I also attend symposia and seminars & generally go by bike. The two places where I was graciously received were Phoenicia Hotel and Casino Maltese - they didn't bat an eyelid and the bike was safely stowwed in a cloakroom! Full marks! The worst Hotel was a prticular one in St Georges bay) where they treated me as if I had leprosy because I arrived by bike...(Ironically it was Austin Gatt's big meeting about transport reform - sad) And regarding “important meeting, at work” In summer I carry the purely decorative jacket in the bike saddle bag (important item this) and just tighten my tie and put jacket on at the last moment. Just back from a funeral - had to use car ! Uff. Have a nice day. G
George Debono
Sep 18th 2009, 17:05
@Franco Farrugia………….Interesting questions……..easy answers. I use my bicycle 90% of the time!! And I do not exaggerate…….I only use a car if I take a passenger (usually my wife) or if it raining. @”Sweatless - important meeting, at work or anywhere else” No problem…..Absolutely YES. Eg: Used bike for each Think Tank (of which I am a member) presentation of reports to the PM or President, in Valletta...(wearing tie/suit)........&caused a rumpus first time when (I and bike) was chased off by the police. The trick is to allow plenty of time for journey and arrive earlier to have 10 minutes to cool off. All in all, it is often quicker than car (allowing for time wasted parking.) @Do you use your car or bicycle to go shopping? Absolutely YES. Invariably. @ “move……one locality to another………various uphills…downhills?” Why not? Was invited to lunch in Siggeiwi some 2 weeks ago – went by bike (my wife went ahead by car because she had to be there early). I go by a pleasant enjoyable roundabout way……SAN Gwann, Balzan, Luqa ind estate, across Rabat road and then to Siggiewi via Siggeiwi- girgenti Road. (pleasant quiet roads & the (up)hills are all gradual…) Continues-----------
Franco Farrugia
Sep 18th 2009, 14:51
@ Dr Debono - Do you use your car or bicycle to go shopping? Or to go to an important, sweatless, meeting, at work or anywhere else? Or do you use your car or bicycle to move from one locality to another, a journey which means various uphills and downhills? You would be exaggerating if you said you can easily use a bicycle for even 20% of your outside needs.
George Debono
Sep 18th 2009, 01:22
@ “do not condemn the car drivers outrightly!”
Sorry if I sounded as if I did – it was not my intention........I do drive a car too. But driver attitudes IS a major part of the problem and this applied to many drivers on the road. There are many other components to the problem – these are related to road conditions and to mentality. I agree that road conditions in Malta do not favour cycling (as you have repeatedly stated - correctly). But there are so few cyclists in malta that motorists are not conditioned to them and this is the main problem. And… unfortumately the physical activity culture (which would include cycling) is largely absent.
In any event, to me the chief issue - and starting point - is, in the first place, our serious pollution at raod level.
Then there is our (Malta’s) unhealthy relationship with the car and the unhealthy lifestyle it brings with it.
If only we could use our car sparingly and walk more (or cycle) – we’d be much healthier and happier.
Have a good day...
G
George Debono
Sep 18th 2009, 01:16
@ “antagonising car-drivers” @ “Your assertion that there's a war out there between car drivers and cyclists” You know, I never really said that…and I have never aimed at confrontation…. No. Basically my motive is DEFENDING cyclists against attacks from two or three people on this blog who seem to detest anybody on a bicycle. OK I’ll take care not to make it appear as if I’m attacking motorists
@ “Our normal roads in Malta and Gozo are comparable! There, you certainly don't find bicycles travelling!” But this is because so few people cycle!.................I’ve cycled in Gozo and had no problem….
@ “Not all people are in a position to use them, nor are they possible to use (bikes) all the time” @ “Indeed, sometimes, they are impractical.” Agree–esp if it rains! But it is mostly possible to do short trips on a bike & not use a car. (eg To go from ST Julians to Msida which is a doddle) . I did a part time job when I returned to Malta & commuted such a distance daily on a bike. & enjoyed it ---- and had no parking problems!
CONTINUES
George Debono
Sep 18th 2009, 01:13
Franco Farrugia
Thank you for your friendly comment.
“am not a father, a 'grand'….happily in my 40s…”
Er...30 years younger than me - want to swap? :-)
Sorry if mixed you up with another J Farrugia .
@ Uni for my studies – Uni” (Wo? Deutschland?)
What you say is interesting. I’m not sure if I agree here – Of course Motorways (Autobahn, Autostrada etc) are closed to bikes but highways are not. Cycle lanes/paths/tracks are uncommon in Switzerland, where I lived longest but I had no trouble cycling to work (even on main roads equivalent to our “highways). Denmark is well supplied with cycle amenities on main roads and cycling is generally wonderful. But one does have to mingle with traffic in every country and I never had a problem (in D, CH, DK, F etc) because Motorists are conditioned to respect cyclists.………………and this is where the big difference with Malta is.
@ “....In Malta…our roads and infrastructure are ill-prepared for bicycle use” Agree but this does not make cycling impossible it is all a matter of attitude (dare I say it??? !!!) …. of motorists.
CONTINUES
Franco Farrugia
Sep 17th 2009, 21:20
And I apologise for the number of grammar mistakes that I made earlier.
Franco Farrugia
Sep 17th 2009, 16:51
@ Dr Debono: contd.
Fifth, in Malta, our roads and infrastructure are ill-prepared for bicycle use and you have to admit that. You cannot simply compare like with like. Our normal roads in Malta and Gozo are comparable with the foreign highways! There, you certainly don't find bicycles travelling!
Please, do not say that I am trying to discourage the use of bicycles. It woulud be salutary and very positive if we had to use bicycles, but of course, you also have to realise that not all people are in a position to use them, nor are they possible to use all the time. Indeed, sometimes, they are impractical. Hence, do not condemn the car drivers outrightly!
I have always argued with you that first and foremost, we have to bring in some respect among car-drivers themselves - your assertion that there's a war out there between car drivers and cyclists is a pigment of your imagination. The main problems that needs to be overcome is road rage in general and it has nothing to do with cyclists! I have always maintained this to you. Perhaps, this time, it can be a source of open discussion, not confrontation.
Franco Farrugia
Sep 17th 2009, 16:46
@ Dr Debono - First, I am not a father, much less a 'grand' one, but happily in my 40s, and you will be kind to remember that.
Second, I don't need to do this but I completely distance myself from any attacks that other J Farrugia may throw at you.
Third, Yes, a thousand times yes, I AM concerned at climate change, at the pollution that comes from traffic but I reiterate that by antagonising car-drivers, you are not doing yourself and the cause you are militating against, any good!
Fourth, I have been abroad for many times and I have used the bicycle abroad when I went to Uni for my studies and I can tell you that I was always terrified of the cars whizzing by. There were streets were the cycle lane was part of the pavement. Nowadays, a good part of the pavement is reserved for bicycles and another part for pedestrians. It is only in rare instances where you see the cycle lane as part of the road itself. Unless I am wrong!
George Debono
Sep 17th 2009, 15:48
CONTINUES……………..
I have written a report on our pollution (copies sent to all Government departments including the PM with whom I spoke). The evidence of damage to health from pollution is supported by irrefutable scientific data from surveys in millions of people whose health was monitored for decades. – and it is frightening. One grandson aged 15 likes cycling and I worry.
I have lived much of my life abroad (as a research scientist) and have seen the way things should be – which they are not in Malta…
So I can at least claim to speak from a position of knowing what I am talking about…
Now, Franco – doesn’t it bother you that while we, golden (or, maybe, grey!) oldies, had the priveliege of growing up in a clean atmosphere (when dust was white!) our children are growing up in a polluted atmosphere (where dust is black – remember it also enters our lungs!) and NOTHING is being done???
So please, Mr Farrugia, inform yourself, read that report (Towards a Low Carbon Society: The Nation’s Health, Energy Security and fossil fuels – i can make it available ) and then we’ll talk.
I am not arrogant – I am ANGRY.
George Debono
Sep 17th 2009, 15:42
@ Franco Farrugia
@”coming across as very arrogant and you are antagonising people!”
Sorry to hear that – if so I apologise.
I am, however, very, very worried - chiefly about two things:
one is our traffic pollution in Malta and the other is climate change ( a more distant problem in which we cannot be the major actors, but the results for us will be catastrophic) .
There are many other things I worry about and maybe I am stupid to try doing something about all this… . it would easier to do nothing and get on with my happy retirement. But.......
I have grandchildren (maybe you too?) and I do worry about them growing up in our toxic atmosphere.
CONTINUES……………..
c Gatt
Sep 17th 2009, 15:01
@the two Farrugias
I'm afraid that it is precisely people like you, that are coming across as aggressive and arrogant.
The shame is that government cared not one whiff about the economy and our health for the last 20 years preferring instead to favour the importers of cars.
If we had a proper public transport system plus encouraged biking were practical, we would have to import less fuel thereby helping the economy, have less people suffering from asthma and other diseases, probably lead healthier lifestyles and it would be a whole lot. quieter But as Mr Farrugia said its only 2009, it will take us another 20 years to join Europe!
George Debono
Sep 17th 2009, 14:50
@ “We are living in 2009”
Absolutely agree !
In the UK people are being subsidized for cycling to work. London has budgeted tens of millions pounds (or is it hundreds of millions??) for making London bicycle friendly; The mayor of London (Boris Johnson) and MPs (including the leader of the opposition, David Cameron) cycle to work. In Berlin executives are taking to the road to the office on bicycles. Freiburg (in Germany) is closing more and more streets to Motor traffic. European cities are changing road design to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists and discourage motor traffic….. etc etc
In Malta we are way behind and remain addicted to cars and fossil fuel…elsewhere cycling is becoming chic and modern…
Need I say more?
No it is still 1950 in Malta - we are always half a century behind! Long live pollution -- long live obesity....
.
G
George Debono
Sep 17th 2009, 14:44
@J Farrugia
@“Just go to villages and towns and see the youngsters on their bikes driving like crazy.”
Aha ! So it’s the kids now.
Mr Farrugia surely you remember when you and I were normal kids and we drove like crazy too… well, I certainly did!
a) Do you want to deny these kids the pleasure of healthy outdoor exercise etc ?
b) Surely, better a kid on a bike driving like crazy than a kid sniffing glue (etc).
c) Do you want to imply that kids should be discouraged from cycling?
@ “you won’t see me pedalling from my village to valletta. That would be insane for me to do”
WHY?
If this is because it is dangerous – then you are making a valid point because cars make cyclists life dangerous in Malta.
Continues
J. Debono
Sep 17th 2009, 14:41
@ J. Farrugia
Have you ever been to Amsterdam, Paris, London, Madrid, Bordeaux, the whole of France, Switzerland, Italy etc. etc. etc.
These places have more bicycles on the roads than cars.
And you're talking about China!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why can't we be like the above mentioned 'developed' countries, and like them develop responsabilities and respect towards other drivers, so that walking, jogging and cycling will be safer on our roads?
Franco Farrugia
Sep 17th 2009, 12:31
@ George Debono: You speak about 'sweeping statements' when the real sweeping statements are started by your kind self. The last statement in your diatribe today is both silly, sweepingly untrue to the point of being insulting, at least to me, and very simplistic. But knowing that you are the type of person that will not LISTEN to anyone who has something worthwhile to say to you, I will not explain to you why I consider this to be so. However, may I suggest that if you want cyclists to be respected on the roads - which I wholeheartedly wish to see!!!! - I suggest that either you stop writing in the public media or else you change your tone of your writing because believe me, sir, you are coming across as very arrogant and you are antagonising people!
J Farrugia
Sep 17th 2009, 11:10
Mr Debono seems to be living in another planet and not in Malta. Saying that "Cyclists are as rare as hens'. Just go to villages and towns and see the youngsters on their bikes driving like crazy. Just go to Birkirkara and to Zurrieq and to Qrendi and .... need I say more? Off course you wont see me pedalling from my village to valletta. That would be insane for me to do. If Mr Debono wants to cyle from his home town sliema to valletta, that's his privilege and I wont surely stop him. But that times has long passed like the time of the horse and its cart.. We're not in China. We are living in 2009 Malta. So please next time you try to denigrate other correspondents who have eyes on their faces, by utter something silly that 'cyclists are a rare breed', please go do the rounds of villages and towns and see for yourself the upcoming generation, all cycling like mad.
Carmel Attard
Sep 17th 2009, 10:12
What if Mr. Said was made to cycle .. we'll see then how he will react to abuse fom the other drivers!!!!