Youth dies in accident on motorised bike

Steve Zammit

Sep 23rd 2011, 22:05

RIP to this young man

And shame on the people that are selling these motorised bikes to youngsters below the age of 18!!! I've seen even kids of 15 driving one of them!! and without a helmet...wake up people !!! What are we waiting for? another boy to loose his life?? maybe then we will take action?

Mark Vella

Sep 23rd 2011, 10:38

Mela rota b’magna ta 50cc tista issuqa bla problemi. La licenzja ma trid xejn! U ma jafux li dawn ir-roti mhux maghmulin li jtellaw certu velocita, u ghandom brejkijiet inferjuri etc.

Mutur b’magna 50cc imbaghad trid iggib licenzja, titla ghat test, u jrid jkollok 18 biex issuqu.

Ghala l-awtoritajiet maj jhallux is-sewqan ta muturi 50cc, allinqas jkunu attrezzati ahjar, fejn jithol sigurta bhal dwal, breaks, suspension, hxuna ta tyres, roadholding etc?

Qed nistennew li jigru aktar incidenti bhal dawn fil-futur biex nindunaw bl-izball.

Ms Maria Vella

Sep 22nd 2011, 10:02

First of all condolences go to the young man's family at such a sad time. But also one must spare a thought for the driver of the van, who through no fault of his was involved in an uneccessary situation which will have a negative impact on him.

This young boy, was driving on the wrong side of the road, with possibly no protection. We see many of these motorised bikes on the road but I am pretty sure that little or no control on the adherance to their regulation takes place.

something must be done, and it is not a matter of banning bicycles or motorised one from the roads. Let's start with educating drivers (cars and bikes) how to respect and follow rules please

Victor Pulis

Sep 21st 2011, 16:16

Whether there is a law about protective gear while driving these vehicles or not, one should be intelligent enough to wear such gear. I had been wearing my seat belt at least three years before the regulation came into effect. Must we be fed like babies even when our lives are at risk? Some common sense goes long way on this logic starved rock.

James Wightman

Sep 21st 2011, 15:05

Ladies and Gentlemen please do take into account that this particular road is in an appalling condition no matter what vehicle is used. The state of this road may well have a significant bearing on the outcome of any investigation, far more than the vehicle itself. I have cycled, ridden (on a motorcycle) and driven this in a car and in each case there are times when one cannot keep to the left hand side of the carriageway, in any mode of transport.

G Falzon

Sep 21st 2011, 13:20

This should be read with:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110920/local/man-in-critical-condition-following-collision.385616.

Legal notice LN 129/2004 at http://www.doi.gov.mt/en/legalnotices/2004/03/LN129.pdf.

Stuart French

Sep 21st 2011, 11:47

Sincere condolences to this young man's family, these machines have to regulated further. Perhaps now the police and regulatory bodies will see just how dangerous these 'fun, anyone can ride them' machines are and look again at the initial regulations that came in to try and cover all small capacity motorised low powered cycles, the Pedal and Low Powered Cycles Regulations regs can be found here;

http://www.mjha.gov.mt/DownloadDocument.aspx?app=lom&itemid=9209

Also, maybe after this incident, those who let their children ride these machines, at high speeds, without helmets or any safety equipment, and knowing they have no insurance incase of accident, will take action and be responsible parents themselves.

In Mellieha we have a group of three or four youngsters, some of them who are continully riding without any safety gear, I dont really want to hear about any other accidents, when simple measures can be taken by the police to enforce exisiting regulations, and regulate further

James Wightman

Sep 21st 2011, 11:43

For those detractors please note that actually these vehicles are classed as low powered vehicles and fall under LN129-2004. Whatever the true facts of the case, please do take into account that there may be mitigating circumstances such as cars sticking to the white line or right-hand side of the lane, road surface etc... so it is difficult and perhaps wrong to make judgments at this particularly trying time for the victims family.

Maureen Toll

Sep 21st 2011, 11:32

A straight forward question that only needs a straight forward yes or no answer!

To the Commissioner of Police - Are these motorised cycles LEGAL? Could he, or one of his staff, please provide an answer.

Probably not!!!

Ramon Casha

Sep 21st 2011, 11:01

These are motor cycles and their drivers should be subjected to the same conditions as a normal motorcycle - namely, mandatory crash helmet, driving test and being subjected to the same rules of the road.

Edward Zammit

Sep 21st 2011, 09:44

Lets ban these bikes as well now. Yes lets !

Mr Charles Zammit

Sep 21st 2011, 09:37

Condolences on this lost young life .
These unlawful motorised bycles that have no licenece , no insurance and the rider a driving licence ought to be banned from the roads . These are motorised vehicles and so sgould have the same requirments as a motorbike which in fact they are . Still we cannot expect much in Malta .

Albert Bezzina

Sep 21st 2011, 09:35

Injured cyclists are still an invisible statistic as they appear as pedestrians. A seperate group for cyclist injuries and fatalities should be included in the quarterly NSO traffic accident report. If possible past reports should have these statistics seperated from the rest.
Condolences to this man's family.

James Wightman

Sep 21st 2011, 08:19

My sincere condolences to this young man's family.

Mr Peter Murray

Sep 21st 2011, 08:02

An unfinished life sadly ended before it has hardly begun and may his God hold him gent;ly in His arms.Regardless of culpability in this case the issue of these motorised bikes was an incident waiting to happen, as their presence on the roads are increasingly worrying for they appear to be unregulated or monitored sufficiently and the conditions for their operation or ability to be on the road is opaque.However,as is usually the case,it takes a death or a serious incident,before finally acknowledging any clear and present dangers such as these contraptions represent and something is done to remedy the situation.