With good health increasingly topping our agenda, Malta has seen a wave of interest in different sports over the past few years.

Until recently, Malta’s sports culture was dedicated to a few types of sports, while others were relegated to the substitutes’ bench. However, changes to the school curriculum as well as the increased availability of sports facilities have fuelled our interest in other sports. Rugby, sailing and motorsport, just to mention a few disciplines, have gained in popularity and the opportunities to practise such sports have increased.

If we had to draw up a table charting this increased popularity, cycling would be in the top positions. Although the number of people who cycle still lags behind that in Denmark or Finland, we’re slowly but surely catching up.

For the uninitiated, cycling might look like a very limited sport. However, it is actually quite versatile and can be practised alone or in a team, with friends or with family. Moreover, the level of difficulty can be adapted to suit your level of experience. From young children to pensioners, anyone can get up on a bicycle and go for a ride. And apart from packing loads of fun, cycling is also an ideal form of exercise as it boosts our health while helping us reduce our stress levels.

Stephania Magri

Stephania took up cycling while waiting for a running injury to heal. Born into a family that is very much into sports, she explains how while waiting to recover she got into cycling.

“I was hooked from the start,” she says.

Stephania is a full-time PE teacher and forms part of a British domestic squad, the Geoffrey Butler Ladies Cycle Team.

“I wish I had more time to dedicate to cycling but at the same time I am grateful that I can manage both my full-time job and my passion for cycling, even though it’s not always easy to juggle both,” she says. She also explains that she feels lucky to have a coach who is very understanding of her time constraints.

Cycling can be costly, especially if you decide to invest in custom-built, high-end bicycles.

“It all depends on what your ambitions are,” Stephania says. “If you will only cycle to commute or for leisure, the right bicycles are quite affordable. That said, whatever bicycle you buy, maintenance is very important.”

For Stephania, cycling keeps her fit and in good health.

“Cycling is very beneficial to my health. Apart from being a good workout, cycling is also a fun activity and helps me unwind after a day’s work,” she explains.

Stephania believes that cycling in Malta has developed, not only within the competitive racing scene but also for other reasons such as commuting, leisure, health and socialising.

However Stephania believes that there is still room for improvement.

“Given the growing number of cyclists, improvements need to be made both in the competitive sporting scene and the commuting and leisure activities. It is important to educate children in the skills needed to ride on our public roads – this is an investment in cycling proficiency which will benefit future generations. This would be best implemented in our schools as it is carried out across the UK.”

Jeffrey Borg

Jeffrey’s passion for cycling started at a young age when he used to ride his bicycle around Żebbuġ and nearby villages. In his early 20s he felt the urge to lose some weight and quit smoking.

“When I was on my Erasmus exchange in Denmark I cycled to work. I spent three months there and lost eight kilos easily just by commuting. On my return to Malta, I bought an average mountain bike and participated in a Life Cycle challenge,” Jeffrey explains. “Nowadays, I cycle as part of my lifestyle and for competing, training and the discipline that comes with the sport,” Jeffrey says.

Although Jeffrey is a senior nurse at the Intensive Care Unit, he still manages to put in around 12 hours a week of cycling. Balancing work and other commitments may be difficult yet Jeffrey manages to race both locally and internationally while also taking part in various mountain bike events.

Jeffrey points out that one of the downsides of the sport is that if you want to take it seriously, cycling can be quite expensive.

“A quality road bike can cost from €2,000 to €5,000,” he says. That said, he says that you can still buy a cheaper bicycle and enjoy yourself just the same.

Jeffrey explains how cycling in Malta and the attitudes towards the sport still have a long way to go.

“Although the importance given to cycling has improved in past years, it still lacks in many aspects,” he explains. Safety on the roads is a worry for many cyclists.

“There is not enough awareness that cyclists are very vulnerable to traffic,” he explains, adding that cyclists on the road need to be respected more. Jeffrey also believes that sports in Malta needs to be given more importance and prominence in schools and at work. Offices, he says, can be more cycling friendly by adding showers and bicycle locks.

For Jeffrey, cycling is not simply a way to blow off some steam but also a means to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

“Like any other sport, cycling keeps you focused and alert,” he says. Above all, cycling gives you a feeling of freedom.

“I did not choose cycling – it chose me,” he says. “Get a bicycle and fall in love.”

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