Jean Karl Soler, Rabat
Cyclists vs drivers? No thank you
I was rather disappointed to read James Wightman’s and George Debono’s responses to my call for safer and less stressful driving in Malta (February 21, 18 and 15 respectively), and especially the uncalled for personalisation of arguments.
In these letters, the bad road manners of cyclists are defended as a knee-jerk response to the bad behaviour of other road users. I especially object to the defence of cyclists riding side by side on a main road while having a chat, cyclists ignoring cycle lanes and hogging arterial roads. I cannot understand the arguments against basic safety equipment, including speedometers, especially since we agree that cyclists should observe speed limits. The arguments against road barriers are completely out of place, as are those for lowering speed limits to surpass European standards.
I hope that such opinions do not reflect those of the majority of cyclists, but some respondents on timesofmalta.com seem to support such arguments. If a substantial number of cyclists indeed share such poor attitudes to road safety, then the argument to regulate their use of our roads is considerably strengthened.
Popular Stories
In Discussion
8 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
G G Debono
Feb 23rd, 18:00
Further to previous comment - - - - -
Mr Sammut and others (and maybe Mr Soler too) might may be interested in this video
http://www.walkinginfo.org/videos/pubdetail.cfm?picid=6
There are plenty of others - eg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SaLhbbtmlE
http://bettercities.net/video/13700/introduction-shared-space-1-2
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5290564n
G G Debono
Feb 23rd, 17:30
To……………….Joseph Sammut………….Today, 14:14
RE “I am convinced that some cyclists have no regard to their own safety”
RE “……………., the fact remains that flesh and bones could not compete with steel……….”
Well, Mr Sammut – surely this emphasizes precisely why people who drive a car should not drive as though they own the road but remain always conscious of what a dangerous killing machine they drive !
Unfortunately Malta is way behind in perception of the (urban) road as a public space .
Thus, while conditions in Malta still approximate to third-world conditions with unnecessary deaths accepted as inevitable – the car has been tamed in sophisticated countries.
The car has been tamed to the extent that urban roads in the EU and now, even in the UK are being progressively converted to “shared spaces” with cars and pedestrians sharing the road. And accidents have been dramatically reduced.
RE “How about people crossing the street (not on zebra crossings) at a leisurely pace with oncoming traffic?”
Well ! All I can do is quote from an official source: . Read it carefully and please don’t fall off your chair ! Here goes:
Shared space is an urban design concept aimed at integrated use of public spaces. It removes the traditional segregation by means of the age-old division of the street into pavement for pedestrians and central asphalted strip for motor vehicles. The goal of the “shared space” is taming of traffic by encouraging slower vehicle speed with consequent improvement in road safety. Motorists’ consideration for other users is induced through negotiation of shared areas. Traffic is decreased in favour of walking and cycling and the social function of residential streets and quality of life of residents enhanced.
Does this answer your remarks about “people crossing the street (not on zebra crossings) at a leisurely pace with oncoming traffic” (So you want them to RUN?)
And what do you mean by saying that “fact that pederstrians or cyclist are more vulnerable does not give them a natural right to superimpose themselves on the majority of road users” is seriously outdated – nowadays the only place where cars may drive with absolute priority are on main routes and motorways.
Please don’t talk about being “childish with our response” because this is backward thinking.
Most of our accidents (even fatal) occur in built-up areas – this is a disgrace and shows how dangerous driving has remained in Malta while it has become safe in civilized countries.
G G Debono
Feb 23rd, 16:29
To……………….Joseph Sammut………….Today, 14:14
RE “I am convinced that some cyclists have no regard to their own safety”
RE “……………., the fact remains that flesh and bones could not compete with steel……….”
Well, Mr Sammut ! – - - - - surely this emphasizes precisely why people who drive a car should not drive as though they own the road but remain always conscious of what a dangerous killing machine they drive !
Unfortunately Malta is way behind in perception of the (urban) road as a public space . Thus, while conditions in Malta still approximate to third-world conditions with unnecessary deaths accepted as inevitable – the car has been tamed in sophisticated countries.
The car has been tamed to the extent that urban roads in the EU and now, even in the UK , are being progressively converted to “shared spaces” with cars and pedestrians sharing the entire width of the road. And accidents have been dramatically reduced.
RE “How about people crossing the street (not on zebra crossings) at a leisurely pace with oncoming traffic?” - - - - - Well ! - - - - All I can do is quote from an official source: . Read it carefully and please don’t fall off your chair ! Here goes:
Shared space is an urban design concept aimed at integrated use of public spaces. It removes the traditional segregation by means of the age-old division of the street into pavement for pedestrians and central asphalted strip for motor vehicles. The goal of the “shared space” is taming of traffic by encouraging slower vehicle speed with consequent improvement in road safety. Motorists’ consideration for other users is induced through negotiation of shared areas. Traffic is decreased in favour of walking and cycling and the social function of residential streets and quality of life of residents enhanced.
Does this answer your remarks about “people crossing the street (not on zebra crossings) at a leisurely pace with oncoming traffic” (So you want them to RUN?)
And what do you mean by saying that “ the fact that pederstrians or cyclist are more vulnerable does not give them a natural right to superimpose themselves on the majority of road users” not only is this seriously outdated – you want to shove the responsibility for safety on to pedestrians too ! nowadays the only place where cars may drive with absolute priority over pedestrians are on main highway routes and motorways.
Please don’t talk about being “childish with our response” because what you express is backward thinking.
Most of our accidents (even fatal) occur in built-up areas – this is a disgrace and shows how dangerous driving has remained in Malta while it has become safe in civilized countries.
Joseph Sammut
Feb 23rd, 14:14
I am convinced that some cyclists have no regard to their own safety. Not going into whether they have a right to share the road or not, the fact remains that flesh and bones could not compete with steel. And this does not apply to cyclists only: how many times do people open car doors (getting into the car) as if the road is deserted, with near misses? Who would incure the most damage? How many times do you see women pushing pushchairs in front crossing roads haphazardly (the baby would get it first!!). How about people crossing the street (not on zebra crossings) at a leisurely pace with oncoming traffic? One could go on and on and on. The huge lack of road sense is unbelievable. The fact that pederstrians or cyclist are more vulnerable does not give them a natural right to superimpose themselves on the majority of road users. It would be best if we are not childish with our response and look at this issue in a hollistic way.
James Wightman
Mar 1st, 08:00
Sould we ban pedestrians too on the same basis? Such statements, along with cyclists are a danger to themselves, is a bit like saying shooting victims are a danger to themselves, or attractive rape victims deserved it.
There is no question of cyclist or pedestrians superimposing themselves on the majority of road users (who incidently are pedestrians - car drivers are pedestrians going to and from their cars, no?), it is more a question of car drivers re-learning the obligations to safely respect other road users.
Anne psaila
Feb 23rd, 12:49
Cyclists have the same rights as car drivers on the road. Malta has no adequate cycle lanes which could be used to diminish traffic & help to make a cleaner environment. For safety, a cyclist has to be in the middle of the road to be allowed safe progress & not be mowed down by irate drivers. Unfortunately drivers believe they own the highway here.
R Bull
Feb 23rd, 10:32
My Dear Mr Soler,
You are absolutely right !
My brilliant suggestion is as follows: Transport Malta should establish a hot-line for contacting the riot police. People will be able to call the police on this number every time a cyclist is seen on our road, especially if they are committing a serious crime by talking to each another!
What is Malta coming to ? Cyclists on the road! Whatever next? Bah!
If we allow this cycling pestilence to spread any further on our hallowed roads, we might even lose our leading position in the world obesity league (see good news on page 3 of same issue of the Times !!!) .
Gerard Said
Feb 23rd, 10:09
I am quite depressed to see people exhaust their energy on this pointless argument. Can we not just all agree that the roads are a free for all mess? I just wish the police start enforcing the decently written rules sometime soon.