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.