I have written in The Times a number of times petitioning the authorities to make driving safer and easier. I have advocated the installation of crash barriers to prevent fatal accidents, especially with roadside tree trunks, evidence-based speed and alcohol restrictions for drivers, and sensible allowance for the safe overtaking of slow drivers. I am prompted to write due to some very recent developments.

A set of crash barriers was recently installed on the Regional Road bridge, after a near-fatal accident avoided by the grace of God. The irony is that the new barriers encroach onto the road, and protrude outside the kerb. To avoid them, traffic in the outer lane now must move left, and inner lane traffic must give way in turn. Could this not have been done better? Is this the only place in Malta where crash barriers are useful? My family drive up and down the roads in Rabat, past dangerous roadside trees, every day.

A recent letter by James Wightman (February 9) argues that cyclists should not keep to the left when using our road system. Recently, I narrowly avoided a bus which swerved on to the wrong side of the road at the narrowest part of Saqqajja Hill, to avoid a cyclist happily navigating this narrowest of roads at slow speed. I wonder why cyclists should not use country lanes or minor roads, but rather hog our main roads. This bad habit of ignoring cycle lanes and riding a bicycle on major roads seems to be quite acceptable to Mr Wightman. Indeed, this has been copied by joggers who I often see jogging on main roads, rather than minor roads or the pavement. Another common sight is that of cyclists riding next to each other to have a conversation while cycling. These are all avoidable road hazards.

I would ask Mr Wightman what a man on a bicycle is, in his eyes. Is he a pedestrian or should he obey the Highway Code as applicable to other road users, including obtaining road licences and insurance? Is he neither, and do cyclists therefore have special rights of way on our roads? I have seen cyclists ignore red lights, ignore roundabout priority, ride fast on pavements, use zebra crossings and pelican lights as pedestrians but then ignore them when on the road. Hand signals are quite rare, as are helmets.

Many cyclists completely ignore cycle lanes. So why do we have them? Does the “need for speed” justify such behaviour? What is the national speed limit for a bicycle, indeed, and how many cyclists use a speedometer at all? Should it be the same as for a modern car with a much more powerful braking system?

To end on a light note, could anyone enlighten me as to when cars had a top speed of 18mph (30kph)? The first motor car, designed by Karl Benz, travelled at 10mph (16kph) in 1888. It could legally travel at top speed in all streets in Zebbug, respecting the 21kph limit! The recent arguments for 30kph limits are an oversimplification. Moderate and safe speed leads to more efficient travel and less emissions. Speed choke points with unrealistic speed limits (such as 60kph on Tal-Barrani Road) lead to increased emissions when cars slow down and accelerate at the choke point.