In his letter ‘Proficient cyclists’ (April 12), Jean Karl Soler is quite wrong in saying that James Wightman and myself “did not challenge” most of his “statements of fact” made in his earlier letter (‘Cyclists’ safety’, March 28).

After trying to ingratiate readers, he further confuses the issue by making yet more outrageous misinformed statements.

Neither myself nor Wightman (April 5) “agreed” with Soler that “25km/h is a maximum safe speed for cyclists” or that “cyclists should not use roads where traffic is travelling faster than 25km/h”. Both of these are absurd statements and unbelievably fallacious.

Firstly, there is no reason whatsoever why 25km/h should be a “maximum safe speed” for cyclists – neither is there any evidence to support this. This is a futile comment. As with motor vehicles, “safe cycling speed” depends entirely on prevailing circumstances. This speed is as unsafe (too slow) in fast-moving traffic and too fast in a pedestrianised-shared space.

As already explained, speeds over 25km/h, or faster, are usually attained by seasoned well-trained cyclists and sports cyclists. Average bicycle commuters, as those who are out shopping or biking to work daily, generally cycle at a slower speed.

Secondly, Soler tells us “cyclists should not use roads where traffic is travelling faster than 25km/h”. This is utterly implausible; it would virtually ban cyclists from our roads since our urban speed limit is 50km/h.  

As to helmet wear, again Soler’s respondents did not agree. Cycle helmet wear is not obligatory by law in Malta; neither is it in Europe.