Motorcyclist injured in Valletta crash

Leif Nielsen

Oct 19th 2010, 17:20

It´s ca. 25 years ago, I had my own bike to Malta, twice - I could not rent a bike, the Danish guide said to me, be carefully after rain, and don´t forget there are left drive - nothing happen, I had a good trip, I come all over, never forget it, still visit Malta, but no bike anymore, bus only
Copenhagen

James Attard

Oct 19th 2010, 08:46

I wish a speedy recovery for the victim in question.

As an all weather motorcyclist myself I tend to agree with the below commentators, however I found that rubber tires instead of the factory nylon based ones, help a lot for better grip. Having said that, there are roads such as this one in Valletta which is extremely dangerous and I try to avoid it at all costs. Even at uphill my bike rear tire begins to wobble, ahseb u ara..

On a similar note I did a research on Road Surfaces and found out that the asphalt on this road is known as SMA - Stone Mastic asphalt (look it up on wikipedia). They use it as it is very durable against deformation but unless a clean grit is done at the surface, it has a tendency to be extremely slippery. The guys who put it on a downhill must have been on drugs!

j fenech

Oct 18th 2010, 22:47

after the first shower the road is most slippery becuase all the dust and oil on the road would still be present making a very slippery surface. After a few days of showers its washed away and the conditions improve even though it remains sub standard.

I avoid using my bike on wet roads as it is way to dangerous and stressful to ride a bike in such conditions

Daniel Sciberras

Oct 18th 2010, 19:46

Two weeks ago, I experienced how slippery Maltese roads can be! I was riding my motorbike on regional road, towards St Julians, just opposite the National Swimming pool. It started to drizzle and I slowed down to about 30mph. All of a sudden, I saw the world turning and found myself skidding about 10 metres, chasing my motorbike! Luckily no cars or trucks were close behind or directly in front and the road was soooo slippery that the jeans and jacket remained intact (at least it saved me the trouble of buying a new paid of jeans. I had just checked the tyre pressure a few days before and all was fine... so I really don't know what to blame this on, other than our slippery roads. I was lucky not to have sustained any injuries. Great siege road is dangerous in normal / dry conditions, let alone when wet! I wish this motorcyclist a speedy recovery.

jcamilleri

Oct 18th 2010, 18:13

Panel beaters and tyre services are the best business on the island !

a attard

Oct 18th 2010, 17:52

For some reasons our roads become extremely slippery after the first showers.
Could there be something wrong with how we apply our top road layers.
Alternatively, would the top surface need to be slightly roughened up after some years of service.
I experienced this phenomenon on several occasion even though driving is very civilized.
Wish him a speedy recovery.

Charles Sammut

Oct 18th 2010, 17:18

It is downright criminal to leave this road surface as it is. Not only is it like polished ice, but it has been worn down by karozzini on the left hand side going downhill. This makes it even more dangerous.

I hope someone will sue for damages because otherwise nothing will be done about it.

I find it baffling how the EU issues directives on just about everything and yet there seems to be nothing about the quality of the roads. The only thing that we have up to EU standards is taxation.

Peter Korsten

Oct 18th 2010, 16:52

That road is dangerous even in a car, and my car doesn't exactly have small or narrow tyres. A few years ago, a policeman almost lost his life on this road.

And what has been done? Nothing. Instead, they're building a fancy city gate which requires even more traffic over this death trap of a road.

w.scicluna

Oct 18th 2010, 16:01

I also had the misfortune to skid on that road last winter. Was riding along in the rain at about 20km/h downhill when suddenly my scooter just went out from under me. That road's surface is POLISHED to a near mirror finish and the grip is a big 0! Authorities pls take note. A speedy recovery to the unfortunate chap and fellow rider.

Nyal Xuereb

Oct 18th 2010, 15:52

A couple of years ago I witnessed a similar accident involving a Police motorcycle. The road needs making good urgently. I wish the motorcyclist a speedy recovery.