Is cycling becoming the alternative road menace?

James Wightman

Jul 31st 2010, 11:43

So the UK doesn't have hills? Believe me some of the Surrey hills around Croydon, or the Thames basin (Kingston and Putney come to mind) are as big as, if not bigger and as long as the climb to Rabat or even the north of the island. Thanks to global warming its as hot in the UK as Malta at times and at others you are loaded down with rain gear etc... so lets not play the old Malta's hilly chestnut. People still commute by bike (bicycle). In much the same way Sicily upwards is full of scooters with people commuting by two wheels to beat the traffic problem - yet it hasn't caught on in Malta although the island is often gridlocked. Something practical needs to be done and Dr Debono and two wheel users like him are part of the solution not the problem??? You'd better start paying attention to him. Malta's traffic problem started when people started to notice it was difficult to find parking, not now - its not a newborn its a rebelious teenager... somehow I don't think all the other countries that promote cycling are wrong, based upoon that niether is Dr Debono.

George Debono

Jul 30th 2010, 18:06

Steve You raise two valid points YOU SAY"….. two important factors..(left out)……. "…."topograghy is far from flat……. makes cycling difficult for anyone who is not reasonably fit". Yes Malta is hilly and, for instance, cycling to Rabat is a real challenge. Your comment "anyone who is not reasonably fit" of course is the crux of the matter - so many of us are unfit (& often overweight) from lack of exercise that even cycling up slight hills becomes difficult. On the other hand, there are many areas which are relatively flat (OK,OK…..less hilly) such as the areas surrounding Attard/Balzan/lija/Mosta/birkirkara/Hamrun/etc, where one can get around without climbing hills. On the other hand Naxxar is high up and is a bit of a struggle. Bur with some ingenuity (& a map) one can avoid hills. For instance, If I cycle from Sliema to Siggiewi I do it the long (but pleasanter) way round. Sliema - S Gwann - (back streets of) birkirkara - attard - ta qali - then along the country road beneath Salib tal-gholja and on down to siggiewi. Most of this route is through quiet scenic (country and urban) roads and feasible in an hour. Continues.

Andy Towler

Jul 30th 2010, 13:33

Wasn't it rather insensitive for this to be published the day before the anniversary of cyclist Cliff Micallef's tragic death in a hit-and-run incident?

http://www.lifecyclechallenge.com/2010/07/30/one-year-on/

Nicholas Valenzia

Jul 30th 2010, 10:40

How many cyclists have been a serious burden to our health care system and resources? As far as i know just a very few, unlike CERTAIN motorcyclists and car drives who enjoy using our roads as an open race tracks. It is becoming dangerous to ride a bike (or a car) on Thursday evening and Sunday morning when these drivers indulge in their self destructive passions.
N.B. : Sometimes it is safer for us cyclists to ride in a group as this increases our visibility and status on the road.

However: authorities should seek to regulate (preferably eliminate) the use of the converted bikes. There seems to be a lack or regulation/enforcement, whether such regulation/enforcement relates to safe construction or the safe operation of such bikes. I hope that a TOM journalist will pick up this matter.

Soner Gurelli

Jul 30th 2010, 10:25

before you complain about the bicycles or cyclist try to convince the goverment to stop drink and drive by setting control points out of st jullians area and then also tell them to draw cycle lanes all around malta including traffic lights and parking places (like in Austria, Germany, France and now also in London) then I am sure every cyclist ready to pay road tax and insurance. Also please get another training session how to ride a motorbike and on traffic rules how to behave to a pedestrian and a cyclist. First judge yourself then blame others

James Wightman

Jul 30th 2010, 07:45

If some pimply youth has ovetaken Mr Galea on his powered bicycle and flipped him the finger we cant expect him not to be upset. I get the feeling that Mr Galea's rant is more to do with said pimply youth/powered bicycles than bicycles proper. I'm a cyclist and a biker and hate petrol powered bicycles with a passion. I suggest he campaigns for safer proper mopeds as I had, but don't use bicycles (the motorcycles ancestor) as a vehicle for it. Its rather unfair to blame ALL cyclists.

Many comments below are ignorant of LN129 of 2004, Traffic Regulation Ordinance so in reality much is catered for in legal provision. Unfortunately the letter and many of the comments are generalizations and inflamitary assumptions. There ARE good and bad cyclists, bikers and drivers.

Some bicycles aren't required to have lights in daylight or carry indicators. Former are unlikely to be effective in strong sunlight while hi-viz only works if someones looking out for you. Surely the state is at fault if LN129 is not upheld and policed, not cyclists? Ditto narrow roads/cycle lanes, the powered cycle loop-hole and IMPORTANTLY bicycle training schemes - a good foundation for later roadcraft skills?

George Debono

Jul 29th 2010, 22:59

PatrickGalea

RE "…do not compare me to any of the irresponsible car or motorbike drivers…" - nobody made that comparison.

RE………'our major roads...........constructed for cars and motorbikes…"
WRONG - roads are constructed for wheeled traffic. That's why they have a smooth surface.

RE…"…….Abroad cyclists are not permitted on major roads…"
WRONG. Cyclists are permitted on all roads except motorways. And I know what I am talking about as I have cycled to work in several European countries in all weathers for over 3 decades.

"……………..RE....cyclists should have a light ON............daylight……"
EH??? Where did you get that from? - or are you mixing bicycles with motorcyles?

RE'………arrogance...........I.......experienced from.....cyclists………" Arrogance from cyclists? U ejja! If a cyclist (bicycle OK?) behaves arrogantly in traffic he wouldn't last long. Cyclists are endangered by cars even if they are cycling in an orderly fashion.

Now Mr Galea - Pleeez tell us which of your comments refer to bicycles and which to motorcyles. Either you are confused or we are…

Patrick Galea

Jul 29th 2010, 20:28

Mr Debono, Mr Mifsud, with no disrespect to the late Mr Micallef and his family, and definitely with no control when my letter goes to print, please do not compare me to any of the irresponsible car or motorbike drivers who you may refer to .

Whether cycling for exercise or not, our major roads where constructed for cars and motorbikes whether you like it or not. Abroad cyclists are not permitted on major roads.

Mr Robert Micallef, regrettably may I decline your offer to the cycle ride on Sunday, irrespective how much fitter than me you are. I am sure and assure you that I do not ride my motorbike on a Sunday at 230 Km/hr down the St Paul's Bay by-pass.

Concluding, Mr Said, cyclist should have a light ON, even in broad daylight; all motorbikes must have their light on at all times and this is a standard feature on present-day motorbikes; It is safer for all.

I am very aware that there are all kinds of irresponsible drivers of sorts about on our roads, it is the arrogance, which I have experienced from some cyclists, that irked me to write.

George Debono

Jul 29th 2010, 18:52

N.Lawrence

RE "….Would you like to borrow my glasses?.........."

Erm….. no thanks. I use my own.

However I do have a brain which sits right behind my glasses and it is in good working order too. Well, both my brain and my well-developed bicycle instincts, kept telling me that there was a mismatch between the statement "I am a cyclist" and your disagreeable fulmination against cyclists (Namely: cyclists….put themselves above, ignoring No Entry signs..do NOT stop at stop signs, disregard red lights, cycling on wrong side of the road, cutt off corners on the wrong side of the road and the cherry on the cake - Why do they think they are so special?)

Sorry Lawrence - I just don't believe you are a cyclist - no true cyclist would talk in such a way.

G

Steve Zammit

Jul 29th 2010, 17:33

Mr. Galea,

I don't agree with your letter. Don't generelize. I use my bike often. I ride it for fun and as a mode of transport to get around my village etc... I obey the traffic and safety rules. I have a front and back light, wear a safety vest and a helmet. How much more safe do you want me to get ?

It is really unfair and sad that on such a tiny island we didn't yet realise how good cycling can be...for our health, reduce traffic, clean- no pollution, enjoyable, makes finding parking more easy etc. It is a shame that on this rock there are 310, 000 cars that every where you go is full of traffic. We use to car to go literally every where , even if its less then 1 km away!If it wasn't for all these cars I would definetly go everywhere I can possibly go by bike....

I wish that one day our roads will become bike friendly and eco-friendly:-)

Well said George Debono.

S

David Mifsud

Jul 29th 2010, 17:01

If Mr Galea's intention was to irk cyclists then ...Congrats! You sure managed to irk me.
When you call cyclists a "menace" you are writing absolute rubbish as it would be equally to state that all car drivers are a "menace".
Apart from the fact that the relative numbers of irresponsible cyclists and reckless motor vehicle drivers differ considerably, there is a further - perhaps to some- subtle distinction. A menace who gets himself killed is one thing . A menace who kills others is surely another.
Cliff died as a result of a car driving menace - how many innocent vehicle drivers out there ever got as much as a scratch as a result of these hordes of ever-so-menacing cyclists that Mr Galea seems to imagine?

George Debono

Jul 29th 2010, 15:59

RE Charles Callus


RE "..........yeah....put a sock in it........"

Gee ! Thanks for letting me know i'm right !!!

Thank again

G .

Paul Spiteri

Jul 29th 2010, 15:47

Mister Galea, you are given the privilege to drive defensively. Cyclists pay taxes like you. People like you shouldn’t be operating machinery and should use the sidewalk. Driving is a privilege and not a right.

Robert Micallef

Jul 29th 2010, 15:38

Dear Mr Galea

i do not know why you generalise so much. First of all there is a cycling insurance and i know a number of people who have it. With such crazy drivers it would be crazy not to have it. mine costs around 200 euro for a year covering third party and my bike which costs 8000 euro.
you pay more for your motor cycle because your insurance knows that it is far more dangerous then cycling. doing 230km/hr on the st Pauls bay by pass on sunday morning is not exactly safe and you dont get a second change. i have videos of this which i will make public soon so please do not say its not true.
This Sunday there is a bike ride in memory of a cyclist who was killed. i suggest you get a bike and have the ride with us. that way you will see that cycling is fun also. whats more your doctor will notice that you are fitter then the last time he saw you because cycling is one of the hardest sport around.

Gerard Cassar

Jul 29th 2010, 14:37

The true menace is drivers using the mobile while driving, this is mostly the practice of young ladies who don't bother who is on the same street or road or if a pedestrian is crossing the street. They are oblivious of what's going on in front of them.
The other day one of these ladies with the mobile continued straight on the street though an aged person was crossing it. She did not bother and the old man had to run not to be run over.

Michael Lia

Jul 29th 2010, 14:33

What are you suggesting Mr Galea.
Should cyclists pay road taxes as well?
I have a proposal-as it is wieght that does most damage to our road.. Say we pay 2 euros per kilo. Then my bike would
cost me about 20 euros. A person using a road crushing 2.5 tonne of metal 4x4 gas thirsty SUV mostly on their own would
have to pay 5000 euros.
What do you think Mr Galea?
Most cyclists pay road taxes as well and obey traffic regulations. Generally its the other way round and many
drivers-not all- as there are a lot of drivers that respect cyclists- think they own the road and is not a question of
cyclists not giving way to drivers but for drivers in ther protective armor bullying cyclists to get out of thier way
no matter what.

George Debono

Jul 29th 2010, 14:17

Charles Callus

RE" if the occasional cyclist does bend the rules at least he is not endangering anybody but himself"

RE"………That's ok then"

Yes it is more-or-less OK ------ let's "translate" this to the "car world" :

If the occasional MOTORIST bends the rules at least he is not necessarily endangering HIMSELF but he is endangering EVERYBODY ELSE.

GEDDIT ?

In other words: Cycling is a healthy non-polluting, harmless sport or mobility choice; even if the occasional cyclist doesn't conform to the rules.

I could bore you with a litany of horrid things cars do on the road every day but it's a waste of time because if you are not already aware of the appalling driving behaviour on the road then there is no way to convince you of it.

The point is: cyclists are no worse than cars - but, unlike cars they are not dangerous.

I quote from a leading Medical Journal : “Unlike motorists, cyclists rarely injure other people, and surely it is the health and safety of the whole travelling public which should be considered when public policy towards transport is being formu¬lated”.

J Galea

Jul 29th 2010, 14:10

In many countries the bus lanes are set aside for buses, cyclists, motorcyclists AND taxis. Why isn't this the case in Malta?

George Debono

Jul 29th 2010, 13:59

Mark Galea

RE"……………These few cycle.......AVOIDING the cycle lanes…….."

Cycle lanes? Eh? What cycle lanes?

These so-called "cycle lanes" were just painted at random here & there with some left-over white paint so that ADT and MEPA could write that "Malta is encouraging cycling" in their reports to the EU.

These badly designed cycle lane are a sick joke. They are more dangerous than nothing at all & most of them force cyclists to ride in the gutter. Even I don't use them.

RE"….Why don't these cyclist go to the Marsa racecourse?....."
You're welcome to take your car to the race-course Mr Galea - but that is not much use to me if I need to go to Valetta to pick up some concert tickets and I choose to go by non-polluting bike.

Sorry Mr Galea, I also drive a car and pay my annual fee but I use my bicycle in preference to my car whenever it is possible - this is 1)non-polluting 2)healthy and 3)enjoyable.

The road is a public space and you, or Patrick Galea have absolutely no right to claim it as your own. You should have some respect for other road users.

D Schembri

Jul 29th 2010, 13:49

there are some poor points in this letter but there are some good points too... maybe a road licence for bycicles should be considered something similar to what there is available in switzeland where we pay chf20 per year which licence includes insurance in case you are involved in an accident....

and as far as bikes with petrol or battery motors they should be licences as MOTOR VEHICLES....

H Galea

Jul 29th 2010, 13:44

I see various persons on the bike , mostly paddeling in the wrong direction of the traffic in one way streets. Who is to blame if a accedent happens. Should the High Way Code apply to them as well.

Mark Galea

Jul 29th 2010, 12:42

two lane roads have been reduced to one lane roads to the fancy of a few. These few cycle in groups, AVOIDING the cycle lanes. Why don't these cyclist go to the marsa racecourse? They can train, cycle at their own content, while not hassling anybody else.

On the other hand, I must also note abuse by cars, which cost the life of a cyclist a year ago.

P. Vincenti

Jul 29th 2010, 12:38

Mr Galea has a point, especially about thse who drive with no lights and those menacing motor bicycles. He may havegained more sympahy had he not generalised.
I often use my mountain bike, at least twice a week. I am more concerened about the total disregard to bikers by some insane motorists. I feel that they are more of a menace.
I encourage more use of our bikes. It good for the individual and good for the environment.

George Debono

Jul 29th 2010, 12:24

Self-righteous complaints such as those of Mr Galea and N Lawrence are truly sickening.

I am out a great deal either walking my dog or on my bike. First of all I rarely see bicycles and the few I see are generally behaving perfectly well. The few that might not behave perfectly do this in a non-threatening way.

How can these people justify their prejudice against bicycles when there is such pollution and carnage on our streets caused by motor vehicles? Ten people have already died in motor vehicle accidents this year. The dead from motor accidents and pollution-induced disease over the past decade must now amount to hundreds - and not one of them can be blamed on cyclists.

So please stop all this bleating - if the occasional cyclist does bend the rules at least he is not endangering anybody but himself. Also, if motorists respected cyclists - they would soon feel bound to abide by all the rules.

As to Mr Galea's letter - the road does not belong to you even if you pay an annual car license for it upkeep so that you can drive. It is a public space which belongs to everbody.

N Farrugia

Jul 29th 2010, 12:12

Please note that although I am a cyclist, I also pay road tax for my car. But when I'm on a bike, my car is parked, emmitting zero exhaust...

I suspect that due to the terrible driving and road etiquette in Malta, many cyclist have to revert to other modes of carbon-emmitting transport to go about their daily lives, therefore probably paying road tax.

With more cyclist out there, there will be LESS congestion on the roads (albeit perhaps a busier mortuary...)

N.Lawrence

Jul 29th 2010, 11:43

i am a cyclist and I lost count of the contraventions other cyclists seem to put themselves above.
Ignoring No Entry signs
NOT stopping at stop signs.
Disregarding red lights
Cycling on the wrong side of the road
Completely cutting off corners on the wrong side of the road

Why do they think they are so special?

George Debono

Jul 29th 2010, 11:26

Congratulations Mr Galea for the excellent timing of your letter:

Exactly one year ago a cyclist was killed by a motorist and left to die on the road. He was practicing for a cycling event to raise money for the Kidney Unit at Mater Dei hospital.

The lights of his bicycle were still on when help arrived - but too late to save him.

No further comment needed except: Shame on you for writing this disgusting letter.

G

Sergio Zammit

Jul 29th 2010, 11:17

As a keen cyclist for over 7 years I don't completely agree to Mr. Galea's comments. Whilst I do agree that there are always the few bad apples, most cyclists obey the rules of the road and give way when they need to (but also expect drivers to do the same to them).

I agree that at night, cyclists should have both back and front lights lit as described in the highway code. On main roads and traffic dense areas they should cycle in a single line and I certainly do not agree tha they answer their mobile phone whilst cycling.

However, cycling is in fact, helping the envoirnment, keeping cyclists healthy and reducing traffic onto roads. I have often travelled to work by bicycle and that means one less car on the road, twice a week for over two years. I am not a eco-extremist but I believe I can make a minor change to help the envoirnment. There is nothing wrong with clubs organising cycling rides in the weekens to encourage more people to take on cycling.

Right now it's the best weather for cycling; not too hot and sunny - get on your bicycles!

Charles Sammut

Jul 29th 2010, 10:41

The road from Zebbieh to Qlejja roundabout and on towards Rabat is a case in point. There is a bicycle lane on the pavement, and it is well marked, but cyclists insist on riding on the road. This is a contravention and they should be booked by the wardens who habitually lurk in this area.

Gerry Said

Jul 29th 2010, 10:20

I would like to rebut your letter point by point.

1) I am a cyclist, but have never argued that cycling lanes are the solution. I believe that cyclists should share the road, by obeying the same traffic laws that cars and motorbikes follow, which is codified in the Highway Code

2) Cycling without a light is normal in broad daylight

3) Riding 2 abreast is quite normal on wide roads when there is an alternative path for a motorist to follow. How often have you been held up this way?

4) What kind of bicycle driving test would you propose?