Injured cyclist planning to sue over bad roads

Alison Zammit Endrich

Jul 24th 2010, 12:31

Thank you all for your get well wishes. I consider myself extremely lucky to have come out of this accident with minor injuries. I would like you all to know that I am not an athlete but a commuting cyclist. I ride my bike to run errands all over the Gzira, Sliema, St. Julian's, Swieqi and Pembroke area. I always avoid drain grates and bus lanes but on that one occasion was forced to take that route in a split second decision. I thank God that that decision was not fatal!
I am not asking for much, just for local councils to look into changing hazardous drain grates, thus making roads a safer place for all who prefer cycling to driving.

George Debono

Jul 22nd 2010, 11:21

@Jo Borg

Both from my own experience and that of a few bike friends I can identify 100% with what you say..

A report on an incident when I was almost killed on the Naxxar Road by a bus was ignored by the police. On another occasion I was advised by a senior policeman to ride on the pavement for my safety!

Another cyclist who was knocked off his bike at a roundabout was dismissed by a policeman with the words………………." Inti ma weggghajtx, hu? - u mela tikkonfonix…. "

I have plenty of other funny stories …. But.......

G

George Debono

Jul 22nd 2010, 11:18

C. Weitze
RE "Every....evening....plenty..of..cyclists…………dangerously..criss-crossing...streets..during..rush..hours……… ignoring...red...traffic..lights………..ignoring..stop signs………………simply..zoom...onto busy main..streets……."

Mr Weitze, this kind of thing makes me sick.

1) First of all it is irrelevant.....The subject under discussion is the hazards faced by cyclists and not the behaviour of cyclists.

2) The same thing happened after Clifford Micallef was killed. People started to try shifting the blame on to cyclists by criticizing cyclist behaviour and exaggerating every little item of perceived misbehaviour.

3) "Plenty of cyclists" - eh? Plenty ?????..You must tell me where you see "plenty" of cyclists! I am out a lot on my bike & walking my dog and rarely encounter other cyclists. I can only conclude that cyclists are as rare as hems' teeth in Malta. I too criss-cross stationary traffic at rush hours to get out of the pollution. It has also been found acceptable and safer for cyclists to (carefully)cross a red light in certain circumstances - but this is a complicated matter.

4) The important thing is that a lot of non-threatening behaviour of cyclists is misinterpreted by car drivers.

5) Do tell me, Mr Weitze where you see "plenty" of cyclists - I am very curious and wantto see this for myself…!!!

G

joe borg

Jul 22nd 2010, 09:36

i have been riding bikes on a daily basis for more than 25 years now and let me tell you that it is a miracle that i return safely home everyday. the traffic is dreadfull the bus drivers are mean and worse are those people who try to overrun you on purpose.

i wish ms zammit endrich all the luck for her attmept to sue the government, but for comparison i just have to mention a couple of stories that happened to me.

i was a victim of a hit and run andl also of one schumacher who came out of nowhere from a stop sign and when obviuos ly i reacted he tried to run over me eith his car.

i reported the 2 separate incidents one at the zabbar and the other at the birzebbuga police station, where i had also reported both number plates only to hear the seargent say that i had to sue these personally even if it was a crime of attempted murder and hit and run.

incredible but true! can anybody tell me what happened to that drunken chap who killed cliff micallef or does the family have to sue him themselves.

George Debono

Jul 22nd 2010, 00:57

Johann Gatt

Johann - thanks for your interest. Didn't reply sooner 'cos I was out.

RE "……….involved in plans to introduce cycling to school.."

Short answer: No I haven't , but I given the matter some thought.

Interesting…. I guess I could make some suggestions..

Can you contact me on gdmc@kemmunet.net.mt ?

George Debono

Jul 22nd 2010, 00:55

Hugh Jass

Re "- traffic does not damage roads. Its poorly maintained roads, or illegally overweight trucks that do. Besides, this case was due to the way the drain gates were laid!"

OK, agree up to a point - but this doesn't change much.

RE "I never see mums with pushchairs walking in the middle of the road"

1) How do mums cross the road?

2) In fact one sees dozens of mums using the roadway in Sliema. The pavements are too narrow for prams (or blocked by parked cars). So they gingerly push their prams in the roadway. I have photos of this.

3) Ever heard of a home zone? See paras 393 - 398 of the report " Towards a Low Carbon Society - the Nation's Health, Energy Security and Fossil Fuels." Available at
http://www.tppi.org.mt/cms/index.php/reports . (read the rest and then comment. )

Re "……And neither do I see children playing in the middle of the street. I believe there are zebra crossings for this purpose... also a designated area! I'll let you reach your own conclusions.." My conclusion is a pat on the back while saying : "spoken like a true carbon addict, ole boy". .

George Debono

Jul 22nd 2010, 00:40

continues




RE "………..Everyone has a right to enjoy his hobby etc however all I am asking is a little bit of prudence...you want to cycle fine but please used the side of the road and ride in single line'

'Ride in single line' - this is really cheeky.
' a little bit of prudence' - tell that to motorists too

and by the way - I drive a car too but I am very patient with other road users. Why can't you?

George Debono

Jul 22nd 2010, 00:38

DGatt

RE "….cyclists block a major road just for the hell of it.."

Please explain what you mean.

These cyclists are not blocking the road - they may be travelling somewhat slower than a car but not "blocking" the road "just for the hell of it". They are indulging in a healthy activity.

By the same token the hordes of cars that are out on the roads (eee madoffi - I nearly said blocking the road !) on Sundays and feasts are also mostly there "just for the hell of it" - and they are polluting as well.

RE……."…….then if (God forbid) they get run over by a car, the driver would then be blamed for negligence and is judged to be a murdered…"

Unfortunately God doesn't forbid cars from injuring cyclists - a cyclist was killed on the road just under a years ago. 99% of cycling fatalitiesa are caused by motor vehicles.

Neither does God give motorists absolute right on the road. We all share this public space and motorists must stop thinking that anybody else on the road has to get the hell out of their way.

Continues.

C. Weitze

Jul 21st 2010, 23:33

@ Franco Azzopardi:
Please do not suggest Hal Far for cycling!

My son, a member of a cycling club, was just recently hit by a car whilst doing his training. Luckily he escaped unhurt - the driver escaped as well (no number plates at the back of his car).
As for the rest I agree with you. Indeed education, respect and law enforcement are needed badly!

It gives me the shivers when I see drivers using the coast roads' bike lane as a second "slow lane" and I am sick of seeing drivers with their mobile phones glued to their ears, happily sms-ing whilst driving...and those drivers, who have become "Fast and Furious" on our roads.

However, having said all that, highway rules should also be obeyed by cyclists!

Every evening I see plenty of cyclists on my way home. Some are obeying the rules, some are dangerously criss-crossing the streets during rush hours, some are ignoring red traffic lights and some are ignoring stop signs and simply zoom onto busy main streets.

Yes, some cyclists are asking for trouble and that is a fact!

Wishing Mrs. Zammit Endrich a speedy recovery and good luck!

j grech

Jul 21st 2010, 22:25

as a driver i am very carefull , using my mirrors and taking that last look over my right shoulder for the blindspot before pulling away or turning and not forgetting to indicate simply because i was a cyclist and know the dangers, yes when i was at school in the late 50s / 60s UK we were not allowed to cycle on the road untill we reached aged 10 and then we had to take a cycling proficiency test at school, taught and tested by a traffic cop, once passed we were then allowed on the road, if you were properly taught you were made aware never to cycle more than 2 abreast and in narrow lanes to stay single file, always give proper hand signals visible to oncomming and drivers behind you, we were issued with a certificate, a sticker that had to be stuck to the front framework of the bike and a lapel badge to wear while cycling, if you were caught riding without due care to other road users you had your badge ,sticker, certificate confiscated and made to take the test again, it was fun learning and taught me safety for all road users

Johann Gatt

Jul 21st 2010, 20:23

Dear George Debono,
your perseverance is commendable. I was wondering whether you have ever been involved in plans to introduce cycling to school. It would be interesting to know your views in this respect. Being an avid cyclist as you are I believe that people like you should be at the forefront to help devise such policies. This stuff cannot be left in the hands of people who have never rode a bicycle before. Are you interested?

Franco Azzopardi

Jul 21st 2010, 19:00

Speedy recovery...
You want one more? Go to Hal Far road and you will find one of the drain gates MISSING!!!! just a hole in the road. Insane!
But as for what we need most in Malta, I do not think it is better roads, or cycle lanes, or drain gates in the right direction... It is EDUCATION, RESPECT and ENFORCEMENT. Try overtaking a cyclist in Europe without 1.5mt of clearance and you will be in big trouble.
Are learners taught that cyclists have a right to be on the road, that cyclists have clipped shoes, that cyclists are on two wheels, that cyclists can be blown off by the wind of a speeding bus, lorry or car? That cyclists are vulnerable to slippery roads? Would drivers rather face running over a cyclist rather than keep a reasonable distance? The authorities should make sure we come up to speed on this as Europe is by far beyond us.
That said I say this to cyclists. We also need to show respect to the highway code. We should also be insured as we also can put hazards to other third parties. So get yourself in good order as well.

M. Gatt

Jul 21st 2010, 16:26

Hemm tappiera quddiem is-Shipbuilding, qabel ma tigi ghat-traffic lights, ghandha hofra fonda madwara tal-biza. Ilha xhur hekk. Jekk jahsel ma jindunax xi hadd ghaddejj b' xi mutur u tinqabadlu r-rota fiha jitfarrak. Issa la jwegga' xi hadd nimlewha.

r.ellul

Jul 21st 2010, 15:36

first of all i wish a speedy recovery to this athlete but with all respect to all cyclists in malta.....with most of drivers attitude & roads conditions ( tarmac , light , no lanes ) it is impossible to cycle ..... i use to go out early morns...early evenings......late summer evenings...but its always the same in our roads.....total disgrace ! and nowadays its even risky to drive a car let alone a bike !

George Debono

Jul 21st 2010, 14:47

Hugh Jass

RE "……………drivers pay a license to be on the road. Therefore the space isn't as 'public' as you think, which is why there are designated bicycle lanes! Unfortunately there are barely enough of them…."

Sorry - This is an old anti-bicycle chestnut !

We have roads because of cars. If cars didn't exist we wouldn't need roads.
*Cars pollute.
* Traffic damages roads. &c &c

On the other hand -
* Bicycles do not pollute ----
* Bicycles do not damage roads as traffic does --- . &c &c &c


Therefore car owners (like me - I also drive a car) have to pay to cover the expense of making the road to enable them to travel from A to B - - - - - -

BUT the road remains public space which belongs to everybody, including pedestrians, kids, mums with prams - and cyclists.

Therefore cyclists still have the right to claim a little of this public space for travelling from A to B

George Debono

Jul 21st 2010, 14:34

J. Spiteri

RE "…….should be on the lookout when cycling on the pavement between Gzira and Sliema ………..narrow trenches…" ........................................Thanks Mr Spiteri ! Yes, quite. But I have learned to respect such trenches avoiding tramlines in Zurich and Basel! These are especially wicked when hidden under fresh snow!

As to "getting the the project of lighting the beautiful ( ! ) trees on the promenade done".
I'm not sure if I agree - we should be saving precious energy (not to mention the 1000's of euros it will cost) and not using it on fancy ideas !

George Debono

Jul 21st 2010, 14:25

Alison

Good luck and get well soon.

I know that drain - it nearly got me once but I stopped just in time. I have also has my share of similar incidents.

You have my full support - I will be pleased to help you in any way possible.

Both comments from JAF Farrugia are unfair.

"….That's a bus lane your not supposed to go into that lane"…
"..were you not looking where you were going"

1) Cyclists are supposed to use bus lanes. I occasionally go into this short section of bus lane to get out of the way of a car that is hassling me.

2) If a cyclist is "looking where he is going" he is looking AHEAD and not down at the road.

As usual, JAF Farrugia's remarks display a distasteful bias of motorists against cyclists.

G. Fenech

Jul 21st 2010, 14:07

First of all, i hope she gets well soon!

Secondly, as a person that has been riding a bike all their life, from pedal powered to engine powered, i have been learning every street surface by heart to know when and how hard to swerve and avoid these growing amounts of cracks, holes, bumps, rolling melting tarmac, gravel, oil, random debris and so on so forth. For now, i've been pretty lucky with some fast reflexes.

Considering how much we're paying in road tax, and all the importation tax on vehicles, you'd really expect our roads to be spot on,

I'm not even going to mention the reckless driving of some motorists, because i've seen some crazy stuff on both 2 wheels and 4, so no party is better than the other.

But the streets have been neglected for way too long, and the new ones being laid are of incredibly low quality. Asphalt is supposed to be rough and grippy, NOT SMOOTH AND SHINY! But the govt know this, they've heard us complain before, but instead of rectifying, they simply made sure the pope has a smooth ride.

arrogance at its best.

J. Spiteri

Jul 21st 2010, 13:59

Mr.George Debono should be on the lookout when cycling on the pavement between Gzira and Sliema. The narrow trenches cut out on both sides of the pavement are a danger and an inconvenience for both cyclists and pedestrians. Could those concerned with the project of lighting the beautiful ( ! ) trees on the promenade get the job done asap please? Or is this another dead project ?

ABORG

Jul 21st 2010, 13:39

last week i was in qormi with a puschair and .....the wheels got stuck into a grid similar to those in the photos...shame!!! local councils should see that the roads within the locailty are accessible to everyone and not brush off responsibilities on central government

r. cutajar

Jul 21st 2010, 13:18

while i encourage you to please do if you have the time But try to get some sort of Public Back-Up through the many means avail
This should surely be a case Where Civil Servants would do their best to do a DISSERVICE to the common citizen ! Well done and good health and luck as you surely be needing lots of

George Debono

Jul 21st 2010, 12:52

Alison

Good luck and get well soon.

I know that drain - it nearly got me once but I stopped just in time. I have also had my share of similar incidents.

You have my full support - I will be pleased to help you in any way possible.

Both comments from JAF Farrugia are unfair. "….That's a bus lane your not supposed to go into that lane"… "..were you not looking where you were going"

1) Cyclists are supposed to use bus lanes. I occasionally go into this short section of bus lane to get out of the way of a car that is hassling me.

2) If a cyclist is "looking where he is going" he is looking AHEAD and not down at the road.

Sadly, JAF Farrugia's remarks display the usual distasteful bias of motorists against cyclists.

Neville Cassar

Jul 21st 2010, 12:47

With those wide gaps... even a small childs foot can get stuck. No foresight at all.... whoever planned this must have been sitting on their desk and not really seeing what the situation is all about.

Its on the road... so it should be safe for cars, bikes, children carriers, bicycles and all. That grate should have interleaving grains, so that either direction doesnt get caught in between.

Sue whoever is responsible and get due compensation for all the hassle and work lost! Get well soon.

Riding a bike shouldnt be a battle field experience.

And once we`re at it.... get those bicycle lanes marked correctly and with appropriate cat-eyes and signage. One can even see drivers overtaking on the inside of these bicycle lanes at times. FINES and driving licence suspension for a year.... and then we`ll see who dares thread on the bicycle lane.

ACTION not words... Government Authorities... please note!

George Debono

Jul 21st 2010, 12:37

DGatt

RE .................... "…. roads in Malta not…much room… for bicycles…..cyclists in a big group …………. Blocking………..inside lane last Sunday at 10a.m..............".

I'm sorry, but the road is a public space which belongs to everybody and not to motorists alone.

As to " The roads in Malta are unfortunately built for cars" yes, absolutely. Our road planners have been stuck in a time warp of 60 years ago. Modern countries have been building roads in a more holistic fashion by catering for other road users as pedestrians and cyclists.

See paras 382 - 429) in the think tank report "Towards a Low Carbon Society - the Nation's Health, Energy Security and Fossil Fuels" available at http://www.tppi.org.mt/cms/index.php/reports .

Jesmond Micallef

Jul 21st 2010, 12:32

It's very unfortunate to read about Ms.Alison Zammit Endrich incident here. I hope she will recover well from her injuries and that maybe her case would highlight more pressure on this issue. Cyclists are pretty much part and parcel of urban and rural German cities. Göttingen is known as a bicycle city due to its heavy student traffic, so is Aachen and Nürnberg is also quite good with very good bicycle lanes and routes across the city and but also the countryside.

I have had a narrow "escape" while cycling in Nürnberg a few weeks ago. In some areas, the tram tracks are embedded and flush fitted with roads surface. I had to cross onto the other side of the road and did notice that I was travelling in parallel with one side of the track until the front wheel of my bike got lodged into the tram track slot. Luckily I was going slow, so I managed to control the situation. Today, I am more carefull when crossing over tram tracks which I do at an angle.

Maybe more well thought of bicycle lanes and routes within the countrysides of the Maltese islands may contribute to more nature/sports tourism.

David Stacey

Jul 21st 2010, 12:26

I lived in Malta in 2005 and cycled a lot to work and for exercise. The roads certainly are not bicycle friendly.

The major problem I found was that the government spent a lot of money building new roads, however when a pipe needed to be repaired, the repair person would dig up the road and then poorly patch up their hole.

Within a week a pothole would then form, and day after day it would grow until the road was bumpy like all the other roads. What's my point? Better ongoing maintenance repairs will maintain the roads before they get 'beyond repair'.

DGatt

Jul 21st 2010, 12:03

While I sympathise with you and wish you a quick recovery and luck in fighting this battle there is one point I would like to make. The roads in Malta are unfortunately built for cars and do not have much room to cater for bicycles. Thus I cannot understand how one can find cyclists in a big group cycling along St Paul's Bay/Xemxija bypass blocking the whole of inside lane last Sunday at 10a.m. This group were not riding in a single line, one after another but alongside each other with at least 4 bicycles in the middle of the road. Apart from creating a hazard to themselves they were also causing a big problem to motorbikes and cars driving through. Moreover every now and then I also meet up with a Green Renault Megane driving along the coast road at a snail's pace with the hazard light on tailing a cyclist. Apparently the excuse of this crazy driver is to protect the cyclist in front. One can image the havoc this bravu is causing as you either have to drive behind him at 20km/hr or overtake in a very dangerous stretch of road!!!!

Veronica Busuttil

Jul 21st 2010, 12:03

Whilst wishing Ms Alison a quick recovery, I urge her to keep on insisting upon her case and not to give up.It is a disgrace the state of the roads, pavements, not to mention bike lanes, it's a pure joke. That will be the day when the authorities concerned will really take the matters seriously. I am too a cyclist and own a motor bike and I fully agree with Mr Abela, instead of enjoying your ride , you are on the constant alert for any dangerous obstacle.

Mark Micallef

Jul 21st 2010, 11:44

As a cyclist I agree completely with Alison that the roads are extremely dangerous, and something so simple as changing the drain gates could help prevent serious injuries.

Another example of serious danger which I just happened to come across this week is that on the Mriehel Bypass the are around 3 exposed gutters, a danger to cyclists, pedestrians or even cars which happen to pull up on the side of the road.

There needs to be much more respect for cyclists by the authorities and by motorists since, afterall the accident below, and Cliff's tragedy a year ago are proof that an accident involving a cyclist often results in a serious injury or worse, not just a dent to a car.

Good luck Alison

Miguel Micallef

Jul 21st 2010, 11:32

I live in Amsterdam and needless to say, things are very different here. It's a shame that no one cares about safety and health in Malta. And how come excercise is being promoted here while the staff at mater dei hospital in malta recommends that one doesn't ride bikes?

And then, we discuss divorce. LOL.

M. Vella

Jul 21st 2010, 11:00

In addition to this, I have noticed that the cycling lane which leads from St. Paul's Bay to Coast road is more often than not blocked by cars forming two lanes in a one lane road during early morning traffic, making it impossible for cyclists to continue cycling due to the cars taking up this space.

Wardens might be in the area at times but the are not even aware probably that this should not happen!

JAFarrugia

Jul 21st 2010, 10:24

A couple of points, Please don't think i'm trying to make excuses for the road works in Malta.
That's a bus lane your not supposed to go into that lane, were you not looking where you were going ??? it's not like you can't see them ???
Anyhow hope you get well soon.

Stephen Koludrovic

Jul 21st 2010, 10:15

And quite right she is too.