The Maltese Islands could be ideal for cycling as distances are short when compared to other countries and the weather is nearly always good no matter what time of year. Moreover, although both Malta and Gozo are hilly, I have yet to meet a cyclist complaining about steep hills as they are part and parcel of what cycling is all about.
A cyclist friend from the UK once told me that the best way to become invisible in Malta is to ride a bicycle
However, an island with a population of over 400,000 that has over 300,000 cars and minimal cycling infrastructure poses safety problems for cyclists.
The majority of main roads are congested at most times of the day. Some main roads do not have pavements let alone bicycle lanes. When riding by the pavement or on the side of roads, cyclists sometimes have to either cycle over broken glass, other debris, holes and steel grills or move further out on the road which is not always possible because of oncoming vehicles.
Moreover, the few existing bicycle lanes end abruptly on main junctions and most are not maintained.
“Malta has ignored cyclists for years although we never went away. The biggest problem is probably a lack of joined-up thinking about bike safety and how people ride,” says James Craig Wightman PRO of the Bicycling Advocacy Group.
There have been incidents of cyclists going down one-way streets, changing lanes without looking back to see if a car is directly behind them, cycling two or more abreast on narrow roads or cycling at night without lights. However the majority of cyclists are very careful on the roads, sticking to the rules and taking the necessary precautions. Notwithstanding they still find themselves in situations where they just about miss being hit or are involved in accidents.
BAG reported an average of 240 near-misses per 1,000 kilometres on Maltese roads in the first quarter of this year. Recently, a man ended up with a broken pelvis after being hit by a car. A few weeks later a cyclist was hit by a bus and another by a car in the same week. The first thing the driver said to the man after hitting him with her car was: “I didn’t see you.”
A cyclist friend from the UK once told me that the best way to become invisible in Malta is to ride a bicycle. Cyclists know how vulnerable they are on the road especially if drivers do not notice them and do not keep at least one-and-a-half metres away from them. That is why over 200 cyclists met in Valletta in August and walked down St George’s square with their bicycles – cyclists want to create more awareness of their existence on the road.
Despite these difficulties, more people seem to be taking up cycling whether to just cycle at weekends, commute to work or make errands. Cycling groups and individual cyclists try to find ways of reducing danger on the road. One way is by discovering country lanes and secondary roads instead of using main roads. These roads are more fun to cycle on (as long as you have a mountain bike) as the scenery is nicer and the air cleaner. Sometimes the journey takes longer – however when cycling for pleasure and exercise it is not about reaching the destination in the fastest way but enjoying the ride.
The Knight Cyclists led by Anthony Zammit and Vanessa Delia say that they sometimes avoid the main roads. They found that it is better to cycle at night as it is safer because, among other things, there are less cars and pedestrians. When doing so they take the necessary precautions – strong lights both in the front and rear, a reflective vest, a whistle to draw the group’s attention, helmets, gloves, protective glasses and a sound knowledge of the cycling route.
“We usually cycle from 9.30pm to midnight. Sometimes we also organise an all-night cycle event around Gozo. It is of utmost importance that the whole cycling group start and finish together.”
Paul Abela, a member of South Cranks cycling group, helps organise weekly night rides. He says that his group started cycling at night in May to avoid the heat but he also thinks that cycling at night is safer.
“There are fewer cars on the roads and so less exhaust. Moreover, drivers are more tolerant at night as there is less traffic and rush.”
Paul says his group cycles for over three hours. On average about 24 cyclists join in these rides. Cycling in larger groups is also better as people on the road notice cyclists more.
Cycling enthusiasm is slowly picking up in Malta because a lot of people are seeing its benefits. Some even cycle to work. A BAG survey showed that there is a steady amount of cyclists who commute to work during the morning rush hour – one cyclist every 90 seconds passes through one of five major intersections in Malta.
This all the more stresses the need to have roads designed with not only motorists, bikers and pedestrians in mind, but also cyclists. It is a pity that even newly built roads such as those leading to the Malta International Airport have no bicycle lanes. On the other hand, the upgrade of the Coast Road will have the much needed bicycle lanes especially after cyclist Cliff Micallef lost his life on this road when he was hit by a car driven by a drunken motorist.
Although this sport, pastime and mode of transport is fun for the people who have a passion for it, it could end up in a tragedy. Cyclists and motorists therefore should bear equal responsibility on the road. We should encourage more cyclists to go on the road by making it safer with the aid of proper infrastructure and awareness. We have reached a point where most realise that arguments about who drives badly and how many cyclists break rules will get us nowhere. We need to think constructively and find more ways of making our roads safer and easier to use for everyone, be it drivers, bikers, cyclists and pedestrians.