Suzanne Maas. Photo: Thierry de Henau

The hot climate, hilly slopes and reckless driving may be keeping people from biking it to work or shops, so the Bicycle Advocacy Group is listing a number of safe and efficient routes.

“When you start commuting by bike you have to stop thinking as a driver and sometimes look for alternative routes to the ones you take by car,” spokesman James Wightman said.

“We’ve thought of facilitating this learning curve by identifying a national network of bicycle routes that are efficient and safe.”

The group is in talks with Transport Malta and once these routes are established, it hopes signage is put up advising drivers which roads are highly frequented by cyclists. This would not only increase awareness among drivers but also encourage more riders to take these routes.

Suzanne Maas, a Dutch woman who lives in Senglea, believes these measures would be ideal because it is difficult to make all roads suitable for cyclists.

She walks to work but uses the bike to go to the beach, meet friends or go shopping in Żabbar and Fgura.

Although in the Netherlands she does not need to wear a helmet, she feels she has to wear one here for her safety, and this could deter some women would otherwise cycle.

In its last national bike count, BAG spotted only four female cyclists out of the 115 commuting during the morning peak hours through six major intersections.

Mina Tolu, who lives in San Ġwann and works at an environmental NGO, believes that getting to the destination all sweaty is a deterrent, although one could dress right to reduce the “sweat factor”.

“I think there is also a factor of safety, and not feeling comfortable on the roads. If you are a driver then you are already more road aware, and I find that my driving licence helps me as a cyclist,” the 23-year-old said.

“I used to cycle to University every day from San Ġwann, simply because I am lazy. By bike it would take me seven to 10 minutes to get to my lecture room, on foot it would take me around 20 minutes, and by car it would take at least 30 minutes on a good day.”

She now cycles to work in Ta’ Xbiex at least three times a week unless she is on a tight schedule. “I find it relaxing and I especially hate being part of traffic, so cycling allows me to cruise by.”

This was echoed by Marian Farrugia, 59, who lives in London. The bicycle is her main means of transport and she even bikes it to weddings and takes her folding bike with her when she goes abroad.

She gave up her car at 35 and “never looked back”. Since then she has got rid of parking problems, expensive car maintenance and insurance, and can relax while commuting.