Riding a bicycle to work or to an evening out might seem bizarre to many Maltese but growing frustration at mounting congestion and parking problems is proving it’s not just foreign gaming and IT workers who are tapping into the speed and convenience of a bicycle. Growing numbers of Maltese are trying it too.
Traditional problems, like worrying about sweating, is solved by either a good wash down in your company washroom, riding a hill beating pedelec or simply riding more slowly to work. Riding at 18kph, for instance, uses about the same energy at walking and gets you a cooling breeze. True, hills are still there but, as cyclists say, get over it.
However, that stills leave the intrinsic fear of our roads but there are several things the new bicycle commuter can do to reduce the risks. Using European best practices and anecdotal data, the Bicycling Advocacy Group has pinpointed the most likely problem areas and provided tips to both people on bicycles and car drivers to avoid having an accident in the first place.
Probably, the one thing that most cyclists fear is being squeezed off the road as someone tries to push past
Probably, the one thing that most cyclists fear is being squeezed off the road as someone tries to push past. One of the best ways to encourage this is to sit in the gutter and be what’s called a ‘gutter bunny rule number one don’t be a ‘gutter bunny’. This invites drivers to misjudge the gap, while it leaves the cyclist little room to avoid an opening car door, drain grating or some other danger that could make the rider veer into the cars path.
It is far better to take a slightly wider position, about half a metre from the kerb, in extreme cases even taking centre lane to warn drivers of the danger and move in once past it. In doing so, not only are you in a better position of seeing those dangers yourself but you are also helping the motorist make the right judgement call on the room he actually has available.
This is particularly true when passing lines of parked cars. Look for movement in car windows and mirrors and be particularly careful of double-or illegally-parked vehicles, where owners are often in a hurry and may not check well enough to see you.
Rule number two is not only to make yourself seen but to put yourself where a motorist will have the best chance of seeing you.
Junctions are understandably places where accidents are most likely to occur and Maltese regulations allow you to take centre lane to be more visible at junctions. But the trick with junctions is, rule number three, to make eye contact and make sure the person has seen you. This is especially important with more and more distracted drivers on our roads.
When negotiating road space at junctions make your intentions very clear: signal big and wide – if you don’t know how, look it up, that’s what the highway code is there for.
One of the common complaints by people on bicycles is car drivers overtaking and then turning across their path, not realising how quickly cyclists move. So a quick shoulder check before each junction really helps to keep you safe.
As does not wearing headphones, because, like radar, your ears will pick up the sound of an approaching car. Earphones, like smart phones, have no place on the road.
Stopping at red lights and pedestrian crossings, using lights at night and not undertaking large vehicles at junctions is just following the rules. Just like any other road user.
But the last rule, is enjoy your ride.
Jim Wightman is PRO of the Bicycling Advocacy Group Malta.