Cyclists are calling for “reckless” bendy bus drivers to be more cautious, warning that the next accident could be fatal.

If I crashed into the person in front of me, he would’ve fallen under the bus and I would’ve fallen after him

Nanette Farrugia, 38, luckily escaped with slight injuries on Tuesday when she was flung to the ground by a bendy bus that kept going as she was riding her bike along the Coast Road in Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq.

Fellow cyclists are taking this as a warning sign, saying bendy buses are incompatible with their sport.

Triathlon athlete Fabio Spiteri, 38, says all motorists pose a danger to cyclists but Arriva drivers never reduce their speed, even when overtaking.

“I was hit once. The bus hit my elbow but, thankfully, I was able to hold on to the bike, otherwise, I would’ve toppled over. But I have a near-miss almost three times a week,” he says, warning that inexperienced cyclists are in even greater danger. The biggest problem, he says, are bendy bus drivers.

“It seems they don’t realise they are driving two buses, so after overtaking they immediately close into the pavement again. And, at that speed, suction is created, which pushes us on to the bus,” he says.

Gerald Said, 30, experienced similar behaviour by Arriva drivers when riding his bike in the priority lane in Marsa, which is meant to be reserved for buses, taxis and bicycles.

After being honked at rudely, he followed the bus to the depot to confront the driver, who replied by calling him an “obstacle”.

“I had as much right to be in the lane,” says Mr Said, adding there should be more respect among road users.

Having spent a lot of time cycling abroad, he knows many countries are not particularly equipped for bicycles but says: “At least there is respect”.

Motor vehicle drivers should simply take more precautions, particularly when overtaking cyclists.

“Bike users, on the other hand, should make sure they stay behind each other rather than alongside each other.”

He points out that bendy buses should all have a yellow sticker at the front so cyclists approaching from ahead would be alerted to the second carriage. “As things stand, you can’t tell what type of bus is coming and someone is likely to get hit again.”

Kevin Borg, 39, recalls a near-miss he had on the Coast Road when a bendy bus brushed against his arm while he was riding behind a fellow cyclist.

“If I crashed into the person in front of me, he would’ve fallen under the bus and I would’ve fallen after him... We’re basically waiting for a serious accident to happen.”

Steve Chetcuti, 36, was riding with Mr Borg when the bus overtook them at a bend. “It just closes you in, pushing you to the wall.

“The buses don’t slow down, so the back part of the bus comes from behind.”

Drivers should overtake with more caution, keeping in mind the enormous size of their vehicle, he says. But even drivers of ordinary cars should be more patient with cyclists.

“Lots of people drive recklessly, hooting the horn... No one has any patience,” he says.

George Debono, a doctor who has spent 30 years riding to work in various European countries, agrees cyclists face many problems in Malta. With more than 2,000 cars per square mile and an inadequate public transport system, there is almost universal car dependency, leading to heavy congestion.

“Frustration on Malta’s roads is reaching boiling point. The two relief valves – a well-developed efficient public transport and an infrastructure that allows bicycle transport for short or medium-distance commuting – are still missing.”

But to encourage bicycle use, there must also be a change of attitude, he says, pointing out that London underwent this change, transforming from a bicycle-unfriendly city into a success story with 13 million cyclists.

To do this, Malta must provide bicycle lanes, increase cyclists’ legal protection and improve their status while radically improving public transport to minimise car use.

Road expert Joe Micallef Stafrace says bendy buses have not been a success in Malta, considering the number of traffic jams and accidents they cause.

“The buses are already too long for our roads but when they bend they take up even more of the road, endangering those driving beside them.”

People should be encouraged to use bicycles, he says. But to do this, bicycle lanes need to be stringently observed and an ongoing campaign should educate road users to keep in mind the different types of vehicles.

“Motorists must know having a bicycle or motorcycle near you is different from having a car. A motorist must keep this in mind.”

Questions to Transport Malta about whether the impact of bendy buses on cyclists was ever looked into remained unanswered at the time of writing. Arriva says drivers are trained to look out for “a number of hazards”, presumably including cyclists.