James C. Wightman, St Julians
Careful on left!
Cyclists are often told they should keep well to the left, as, in fact, all traffic should. Yet, as per the Highway Code, cyclists also need to avoid people opening car doors, stepping out from between vehicles as well as pot holes and drain covers.
To cope with this paradox, cyclists often position their left hand grip over the same position taken by the left wheel of a car. This is because the risks to both vehicles are in reality similar: “dooring”, pedestrian and vehicular incursions, etc...
They are therefore somewhat socialised into taking the position that they do on the road. While being a “gutter-bunny” may make cyclists less visible, parked cars and other such road hazards apart, they (cyclists) would actually keep further left if they could do so. The reason that they do not is due to the behaviour of other road users and the road infrastructure around them.
The latter is amply illustrated by the appalling state of Tower Road in Sliema where crumbling structures around drain covers, like the one pictured, are the rule rather than the exception. Little wonder that cyclists don’t keep left!
Popular Stories
In Discussion
8 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Francis Sammut
Feb 9th, 17:14
Building new roads (when it happens) is all well and good but when it comes to the long term in taking care of our roads, we simply don't have a clue. I mean one sees many potholes, tiles on the pavement broken with deep holes looking at you and you can count yourself lucky if you don't end up with a broken leg, or worse. And what do we do, nothing. I mean what does it take to patch, repair the above mentioned? I suggest we need a body of able men in every district where they can intervene at an hour's notice - not in 3 or 4 months time as is happening now! Outside my house, the road is full of potholes. Neighbours including myself are reporting them to the council. I talked to the lady at the desk, she says yes we know about them we'll send someone to patch them up. Yes, but when? See what I mean?
James Wightman
Feb 10th, 17:14
To be honest you're better off doing that in writing - if there is an accident you can at least say you warned them and it could be grounds to sue on the basis of due diligence.
William Flynn
Feb 9th, 12:58
Any tourist driving a vehicle in Malta is insane; anyone riding a bike is suicidal.
James Wightman
Feb 9th, 21:13
But strangely more people die in cars? In reality the traffic is no worse than the UK a couple of years ago.
Peter Murray
Feb 9th, 12:07
Highway Code.... in Malta-how would anyone know that such a book actually exists or the contents thereof -for who has read it ?It wouldn't take long anyway as one of the smallest books in the world we are told is.......the Maltese Highway Code!Along with the Book of Italian heroes (Recent addition -the Costa Concordia Captain).
J. Debono
Feb 9th, 20:09
you can easily read it on the internet - government site!! go on -google it now!
James Wightman
Feb 9th, 21:11
Careful Peter, its a copy of (our) British Highway Code! :)
Peter Murray
Feb 10th, 09:31
Dear Mr Debono,
You missed my rhetorical point.For the Highway code is there in name only .Have you actually read it and, if you have, besides you and I name another person who has and then actually enacted what is laid down in legislation?