Violating one-way traffic regulations is wrong but allowing cyclists to do so in an organised and controlled manner could work in certain areas.

Throughout this week – designated One-Way Week – the Bicycle Advisory Group is encouraging bicycle users to cycle the right way up one-way roads or, alternatively, to dismount and walk, pushing their bikes.

The stress on respecting traffic flow rules is motivated by the need to ensure road safety but is also meant to demonstrate the problems one-way systems can cause to cyclists.

While asking cyclists to ride the right way, BAG is also encouraging motorists to be considerate of cyclists, especially when navigating one-way systems that, it notes, are often narrow and pose risks from doors. One-way roads not only increase journey times but also expose cyclists to more accidents, the lobby group said.

“The scope of the week is to get cyclists to toe the line. Strategically placed short contraflows in key areas are being suggested,” BAG spokesman Jim Wightman said.

Contraflows are arrangements whereby cyclists are allowed to go against the flow of traffic on a one-way road.

“Take having to go down St Mary’s Street and up Manuel Dimech in Sliema. It is easy for a car to do so but not so easy for a bicycle. A contraflow lane can easily be introduced between the Imperial Hotel and the Sliema police station,” said Mr Wightman.

Bicycle contraflows are quite popular in other European cities.

“They will also go a long way towards solving an old car-bike gripe of cyclists riding the wrong way by allowing them to do so legally in certain streets.

“They also benefit drivers who are not kept waiting behind cyclists having to navigate unnecessary one-way streets primarily designed with cars in mind,” Mr Wightman explained.

In addition, contraflows provide more room because cyclists are likely to ride closer to parked cars as the possibility of dooring is much lower, while the likelihood of potential head-on accidents is reduced because of warning signs and lane markings.

The introduction of contraflows, which is already applicable to buses, is one of the suggestions BAG made to local councils.

“Feedback from them has been very poor. We tend to get the occasional acknowledgement rather than people coming forward asking for advice. One exception was Sliema, which seems genuinely interested in helping cyclists,” Mr Wightman noted.

Every month, the lobby group sends safety tips to local councils.

These are usually along the lines of keeping roads clear of glass, thus resulting in frustrating punctures or cyclists riding further out onto the carriageway; advice on cycle racks, specifications and locations; the introduction of ride-to-work days and encouraging local cycling as a way of easing traffic, congestion and parking problems.

“Our goal is to make cyclists visible. It’s not just about bright colours but actively seeing them,” Mr Wightman said, encouraging parents of younger and teenage riders to get the message across that riding the wrong way up one-way streets is dangerous, particularly at night on unlit bikes.

The lobby group has noted an increase in the number of cyclists over the past months.

It believes many of them took to cycling because of frustration as a result of the shaky introduction of the Arriva bus service last July, then opted to continue cycling.

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