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‘Little done’ on road safety three years on

Anniversary of cyclist Cliff Micallef’s death, which devastated his wife and sons

Video: Mark Zammit Cordina

Shirley Micallef, whose husband was killed in a hit-and-run accident while cycling along the Coast Road three years ago today, is insisting more needs to be done to make roads safer for cyclists.

You do not kill one person, you break down a family

“Three years have passed and nothing much has been done. We need proper cycle lanes… the ones along the Coast Road are all fading out.

“We need to educate cyclists and motorists on how to behave on the road. A campaign would help… and we need to focus on driving home the message: No drinking and driving,” the 45-year-old mother-of-three insists.

More than anything, she says, people need to be aware that a simple reckless act can devastate an entire family.

Shirley Micallef and her son Zak. Photo: Matthew MirabelliShirley Micallef and her son Zak. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Her 15-year-old son Zak, who inherited a passion for cycling from his father, agrees that many motorists do not know how to act around cyclists.

“They don’t realise that a bicycle is a vehicle as well and deserves respect,” he says, adding: “Cycling is a good sport but the lack of safety holds people back.”

His 45-year-old father died on July 30, 2009, after he was hit by a car in Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq, minutes into his morning exercise routine.

He had been training for the LifeCycle Challenge to raise funds for the Renal Unit at Mater Dei Hospital. A 21-year-old man, Anthony Taljana, was charged with running him over while under the influence of alcohol and his case is still pending.

His death had spurred a barrage of criticism from cyclists who called on the authorities to improve bicycle lanes, but the situation has remained the same.

The Bicycle Advocacy Group recently reported an average of about 240 near-misses per 1,000 kilometres on Maltese roads in the first quarter of this year.

This month, cyclist Emmanuel Inguanez suffered a broken pelvis after a hit-and-run incident in St Paul’s Bay when he was knocked off his bicycle by a small commercial vehicle.

A few days later Nanette Farrugia was riding down the Coast Road when she was hit by an Arriva bendy bus that flung her on to the pavement.

Ms Micallef finds it sad that, since her husband’s death, roads have remained unsafe for cyclists and not much has changed. In contrast, her family’s life was turned upside down.

Her sons ended up without a father and she is struggling to cope with expenses such as bills and her boys’ education.

“We’re shattered. I always say to myself: I’m at the theatre, in the gallery and I’m just watching, I don’t live. I breathe, I have three boys and have to raise them. But inside me, everything has ceased,” she says.

Throughout all this, she adds, “the coldest people are the insurance people”. Her family was being made to spend years in court fighting for compensation when they needed the money now.

“We are victims. Something should be done to alleviate this burden off victims,”she says.

Apart from the material problems, seeing her sons miss their father is heartbreaking.

Zak adds he and his brothers – Max, 18, and Jon, 11 – talk about him a lot.

Faded bicycle lanes are in desperate need of maintenance. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier. Right: Cliff Micallef. Photo: Rene Rossignaud.Faded bicycle lanes are in desperate need of maintenance. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier. Right: Cliff Micallef. Photo: Rene Rossignaud.

All three boys still love cycling although it took Zak a while to get back on his bicycle after the accident.

“At first my mummy was protecting us… she didn’t like it that we cycled… but after a few weeks we started going out again. Out of all my friends, I’m scared most,” he admits.

Unlike her boys, Ms Micallef has never touched a bicycle since her husband’s death. Before the accident the whole family would cycle, even during holidays abroad.

“I would have Jon with me, Clifford would have Zak and Max was older so he could cycle,” she remembers with a smile that vanishes as her mind brings her back to the present.

“These are all consequences of silly, crazy acts. If only one thinks of what can happen… Your life changes totally. It’s not only the absence, but what comes with it. It’s like a tsunami.

“The government can do a lot as regards road safety. However, it boils down to the individual. Think about the repercussions – you do not kill one person, you break down a family,” she says.

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Chris Grillo

Jul 31st 2012, 20:34

A very touching letter... even through a simple message, closure needs to be done...

James Wightman

Aug 2nd 2012, 07:45

That's all very fine, but inaction also gives the impression that nothing will happen to you if you hit a cyclist. The case needs to go through due process. closure needs to be just and fair not just emotional.

James Wightman

Jul 30th 2012, 21:00

And people who cycle to work???

Frans van Avendonk

Jul 30th 2012, 12:06

Probably number zilch

Gianfrancesco Buttigieg

Jul 30th 2012, 12:06

Keep calm, mate :)
Crash barriers are a great idea but it would be too expensive to implement realistically I think.

Where it isn't possible to have bike lanes, I personally favour sharrows - very cheap to implement (just some paint) and do the job of reminding motorists and cyclists of the optimum position to avoid nasty accidents. Plus the lane can be used by everyone.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shared_lane_marking

Franco Farrugia

Jul 30th 2012, 11:38

Right, yeah! Now, they will tell you, 'yessir!'

Jeremy Azzopardi

Jul 30th 2012, 12:47

Low quality paint is used in Malta, with the thinking being " if we buy the good stuff they use for german roads then there will be no more work to do for the people painting roads".

Louis Risso

Jul 30th 2012, 11:29

how can you see the left hand dangling out of the window? As far as I know the hand closest to the window is your right hand unless you are driving a left hand drive vehicle.....

Edward Curmi

Jul 30th 2012, 11:59

Case in point!!

Pia Attard

Jul 30th 2012, 12:02

Drivers dangling with their left hand out of the window are unheard of in a country where we drive on the left. Possibly you mean right arm/hand?

Anthony Grech

Jul 30th 2012, 12:28

Sorry my mistake. Thanks for correcting me, but what I said about the RIGHT arm dangling out is all true. Please tell me if this legal or not. Thanks again

Jeremy Azzopardi

Jul 30th 2012, 12:48

I guess you mean right arm. But how can we learn when just this morning I saw a police car overtaking another car with the driver's right arm dangling out of the window!

G G Debono

Jul 30th 2012, 13:43

..RE how can you see the left hand dangling out of the window? .......'cos the right hand is holding the mobile ?

Louis Risso

Jul 30th 2012, 11:31

No 1 rule, do not scream when typing, we are not deaf. (capital letters) Secondly no where else in the world are cyclists lanes protected by barriers.........

fred sammut

Jul 30th 2012, 11:33

you re right "!!! but this very morning 2 cyclist , one by one were cycling and laughing with all the cars overtaking with the risk of a headon collision........

Patrick Muscat

Jul 30th 2012, 11:50

tigih gholija l pajjiz, biex tamel dawk li qed isemi mat toroq kolla, fl-ewropa anqas isib dak li qed tajd, gej bil barries, qisu jekk ikun l barrier mhux xorta itlaqata jekk tkun alik, alik ma andekx cans tahraba hi, anqas jekk tkun imdawar bl air bags.

Edward Curmi

Jul 30th 2012, 12:00

Ha ha ..usual PL apologist......you probably have been living in a cave??

J Farrugia

Jul 30th 2012, 13:45

@Edward Curmi. better than a dillusional blue eyed boy.

Jeremy Azzopardi

Jul 30th 2012, 12:50

That and having arguments! So many times I end up behind someone driving really slowly, not allowing anybody to overtake, having an argument/lively discussion with the other person(s) in the car...

Stephen Mifsud

Jul 30th 2012, 09:48

Well said Zeppi. Cliff besides being a friend and introduced me to cycling, he was also a neighbor that grew up with me during my childhood. Rather than cycle lanes, we need campaign to educate drivers and make cycling part of our culture......law enforcement will help too.

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