Cyclist every 90 seconds during rush-hour traffic

A cyclist passes through one of five major intersections in Malta every 90 seconds during the morning rush-hours, it has been found.

Car drivers... should rejoice that commuting cyclists are potentially making many more than 103 parking spaces available

Last month, volunteers from the Bicycling Advocacy Group (BAG) conducted what it believes was the first national bike count, spotting bikes that passed through Bulebell, Mosta, Sliema, Qormi and Tal-Qroqq between 6 a.m. and 8.30 a.m.

The exercise was carried out as part of the group’s efforts to encourage bicycle use and reduce traffic congestion.

A total of 103 cyclists were spotted at the five intersections, which means one passed a counting station every minute and a half.

A spokesman for the group said this seemed a small number but it meant 103 fewer parking spaces were needed and there were 103 fewer cars queuing up in the morning traffic.

“Given that car drivers are frequently complaining at the loss of parking spaces to public works or social activities like village feasts, they should rejoice that commuting cyclists are potentially making many more than 103 spaces available to them on a daily basis,” the spokesman said.

Although the group expected the Sliema spot to be the busiest because of its cycling-friendly promenade, Qormi was the most popular route, with 39 cyclists.

Some 33 bike commuters passed through the Sliema intersection, followed by 18 in Mosta and nine in Bulebell.

“This shows it’s not just a case of providing cyclist-friendly infrastructures but that they must be where they are most needed.

“This is something BAG hopes to identify with counts like these and future surveys,” the group said.

The count identified a definite peak at 7 a.m., probably because of the cooler air, but there was also a rising trend towards the end of the time period, as cyclists seemed to take advantage of lighter traffic.

BAG also recorded riders’ helmet use. Although cyclists – except for children or power-assisted bike riders – are not legally required to wear helmets, 54 per cent did so.

Coincidently, the bike count was carried out on the same day that 66-year-old cyclist Emanuel Inguanez suffered a broken pelvis after being hit by a car in St Paul’s Bay.

His helmet took the blow – and cracked – when he hit his head on the pavement. Luckily, he did not suffer any head injuries.

A week later Nanette Farrugia, 38, was hit by a bendy bus that then kept going “full speed ahead” in Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq, prompting calls for more safety on the roads.

Similar calls were made in July 2009, when Life Cycle member Clifford Micallef, 45, died on the Coast Road after he was struck by a hit-and-run car driver, whom police later tracked down.

Although his death sparked public outrage and prompted calls for better road safety, the calls seem to have been in vain as BAG recently reported an average of 240 near-misses per 1,000 kilo­metres on Maltese roads in the first quarter of this year.

Dangers of riding abreast

Following discussions on reciprocal respect on roads between car drivers and cyclists, the Bicycle Advocacy Group has a safety campaign going about the dangers of riding abreast.

Every month, BAG sends posters to local councils addressing different safety issues and is now focusing on riding abreast – something that angers motorists.

The posters read: “Remember if you ride two abreast, the guy on the inside’s got nowhere to go if something’s in the way (and it usually is) and the guy on the outside gets clipped by a driver.

“Neither is a cool idea. Ride single file and ride safe.”

The posters warn that if cyclists need to talk, give instructions or directions, they should check behind them, signal, move out and drop back quickly.

If they need to discuss something, they should stop.